Sam Brand’s Team Novo Nordisk career officially began as a member of the elite triathlon team. In 2013, following his qualification to race at the ITU World Championships, he gained the attention of Team Novo Nordisk and joined the program the following season. In 2014, he finished 12th in his age group at the Nottingham Triathlon, a World Championship qualifier. The following year he finished second at the British Triathlon Championships. After graduating from university in 2015, Brand decided to focus exclusively on cycling and moved over to Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad in the 2016 season.
Following a strong showing with the development squad, Brand debuted in the pro ranks as a stagiaire in August 2017 at the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, also known as America’s Toughest Stage Race. He credits being selected as a stagiaire as the result of extremely hard work, dedication and support from his friends and family. Based on his performances at the Tour of Utah, Colorado Classic, Tour of China I & II and Tour of Hainan, he received his first professional contract for the 2018 season.
Back in his first year of primary school, Brand experienced the usual diabetes symptoms and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10. Brand’s friends, family and medical team were very supportive of him returning to football, basketball and all the other activities that he loved. He says his diagnosis had no negative impact on his childhood and is grateful for how his family and surrounding community handled the adjustment.
Throughout high school, the Isle of Man native competed in a variety of sports. His father competed for Great Britain at the triathlon age group level, so the younger Brand soon started competing in local triathlons. It wasn’t until his first year at university that he took the sport seriously. He quickly excelled and within a year found himself representing Great Britain at the 2013 ITU World Championships.
