Filipinas Marks First Victory for Novo Nordisk

Feb 2, 2015 – Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, earned a historic win Monday as Scott Ambrose (NZL) soloed to victory on Stage 2 at the Tour de Filipinas. This win marks the first victory in the team’s three-year history.

NN PR/Photo: ©Marvin De Guia & Star Sabroso

“Coming into this season, our priority was to get a win early on,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO & co-founder, Phil Southerland. “Since Team Novo Nordisk began, our riders have shown they can compete against the best cyclists in the world, and today, they proved they can win. Scott Ambrose is an amazing athlete and I’m so proud of what he has accomplished as part of our team. This victory is also for Novo Nordisk and their 41,000+ employees around the world, who continue to believe in the mission of the team to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes.”

Beginning in Balanga, the 154-kilometer stage saw immediate attacks from the start. Team Novo Nordisk’s Ambrose and Joonas Henttala (FIN) made a 12-man break, which quickly gained a sizeable advantage over the peloton. Current race leader Eric Sheppard (Attaque Team Gusto) and his teammates worked on the front to reel in the break before the finish in Iba, Zambales.

Inside the final five kilometers and as the peloton grew closer, Team Novo Nordisk’s Ambrose attacked the breakaway and held on to cross the finish line alone.

“This is a great day for our team. We’ve fought so hard for this moment and words can’t express how important this win is to us,” Ambrose said. “I feel so proud to be able to give something back to this incredible team and all those affected by diabetes.”

Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Ambrose won the Junior Tour of Canberra in 2011, Australia’s Premier Junior Tour. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years later after seeking medical advice because his performance had begun to deteriorate.

He learned about Team Novo Nordisk from his hospital bed and knew he would race again. He joined the team’s development squad in 2014 and was invited to stagiaire for the men’s professional team in August of that year. The Tour de Filipinas marks his first official race with the men’s professional team.

“Everyone at Team Novo Nordisk is very proud of these athletes and the determination they have shown. The win today at the Tour de Filipinas is our biggest and most important result to date,” said Team Novo Nordisk General Manager, Vassili Davidenko. “These riders have been working extremely hard to get results and today’s win was truly the product of teamwork and dedication.”