ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first all-diabetes pro cycling team, is bringing one of its best development team athletes, New Zealander Hamish Beadle, onto the men's pro squad for the 2020 season.
"Hamish came to us as a fearless kid, who was willing to fight for victory from day 1. He has carried that attitude forward, and through each step, doubled down on his work ethic and willingness to make sacrifices on and off the bike so that he can continue to win," Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland said. "He has a bike racer's instinct and can read a race well. Over the past season, he's made big strides in his climbing, breakaway prowess and diet while continuing to have a superfast finish. I look forward to seeing Hamish as part of the Team Novo Nordisk's family for years to come."
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at only three years of age, Beadle doesn't remember life without the condition. He grew up in an active family, and both his father and brother raced bikes. By age eight, he was already competing. As a junior in New Zealand, Beadle earned rankings on both the national and international track level. Additionally, he and his teammates set the New Zealand national record in the U17 team pursuit and U19 team sprint.
Beadle is part of a long line of athletes that Team Novo Nordisk discovered through its annual Talent ID Camps. The team brings in youth with type 1 diabetes from around the world to Athens, GA as an entry into the team's development pipeline. Following the 2015 Talent ID camp, Hamish decided to switch disciplines from the track to the road and has raced as part of the team's junior and development squads for the past five seasons.
"One of the things that I love most about this team is the family atmosphere that we cultivate from the first day we meet these riders. Team Novo Nordisk is unique because we've known most of our riders since they were 15. By bringing new riders up to our pro team through our pipeline helps us build upon that supportive environment," Southerland said. "When Hamish moves up to the pro team, he will rejoin many teammates that he raced with as part of the development team. This supportive relationship makes the transition to the pro peloton easier because they share their wisdom and mistakes, so Hamish's step up will be that much smoother."
For Team Novo Nordisk, this showcases the strength and value of the team's development programs.
"Over the past season, we have seen strong and consistent improvement from Hamish. He has made significant growth since joining our program and he's ready for this big step up," Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. "Hamish has shown strong character and possess a great deal of determination, willingness to learn, and drive to become a better rider and great teammate. He will be guided by our experienced coaches and sports directors to make this transition to the pro level a successful one."
During the 2019 season, the 21-year-old Beadle earned a list of accolades with Team Novo Nordisk's development team including winning the Hincapie Spring Series, the Massachusetts State Road Race, the Georgia Games Time Trial and Road Race, the Hapeville Criterium and the Three River Rumble Road Race. Additionally, he's taken podium finishes at the Oak Ridge Omnium, Haute Route Asheville, Burlington Road Race, and Tennessee State Criterium.
"It has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to race professionally for Team Novo Nordisk. To pull on a jersey for a team with a mission as special as ours to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes is an amazing honor," Beadle said. "I'm heading to the pro team aiming to be a sponge and learn as much as possible from our veteran riders and experienced staff. I know that now is when the real work begins, and I am focused on keeping a strong, healthy mind while improving physically both in training and recovery. I am looking forward to our first training camp; I think that's when all this will actually feel real."
About Team Novo Nordisk
Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world's first all-diabetes UCI Professional Continental cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes. For more information, go to http://www.teamnovonordisk.com.
Media Contact:
Fitzalan Crowe for Team Novo Nordisk
Fitzalan.crowe(at)teamnovonordisk(dot)com
+1-703-596-2020
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SOURCE Team Novo Nordisk
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