All-diabetes pro cycling team competes in Amgen Tour of California – KSBY San Luis Obispo News

In a sea of professional cyclists in Stage 3 Pismo Beach of the Amgen Tour of California, riders share a common goal of crossing the finish line first. One team, in particular, has a few other things to think about it besides winning.

Team Novo Nordisk is the world's first and only all-diabetic professional racing team. Every racer has type 1 diabetes.

Australian team member, Chris Williams recalls his diagnosis. "I was in Australia doing a raceandI collapsed at the end of astage," said Williams, 35. "I thought it was dehydration so I went to the hospital and that was when I was diagnosed. The doctor told me I shouldn't cycle anymore because bike racing and diabetes is a difficult combination and I would have to give it up. I was pretty devastated."

Many athletes think they won't be able to live life the way they'd hope after diagnosis. Team Novo Nordisk wants to show the world what is possible with diabetes.

"We have riders from all over the world here. Holland, Italy, and Spain. Diabetes is everywhere," said Vassili Davidenko, Team Novo Nordisk manager.

Team Novo Nordisk hopes to inspire, educate, and empower people affected by diabetes.

"You don't have to give up on your dreams because you have diabetes. There is a common myth that diabetes stops a lot of people from a lot of things but it's not true in many cases. We're an example of that," Williams said.

Novo Nordisk's David Lozano was Tuesday's King of the Mountain.

Team Novo Nordisk athletes will compete in more than 500 competitions around the world and is striving to race in the Tour de France by 2021, which is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.

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All-diabetes pro cycling team competes in Amgen Tour of California - KSBY San Luis Obispo News