CYCLING

Novo Nordisk's Ambrose and Williams prepping for WorldTour stage race debut in 2016

By Aaron S Lee

Novo Nordisk riders participate in busy off-season programs prior to facing team’s toughest schedule yet.

NEW ORLEANS—New Zealand’s Scott Ambrose and Australia’s Chris Williams have been extremely busy this off-season after re-signing with the US-registered UCI Professional Continental squad Novo Nordisk last month.

The duo from Down Under are just two of the 17 riders, including Aussie James Glasspool, who will be riding for a roster spot when the team races as one of four wildcard teams at the Tour of Poland next year (July 12-18).

“Team Novo Nordisk is thrilled to make our World Tour stage race debut at the Tour de Pologne,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland. “This race carries a lot of prestige and the invitation serves as another major milestone for the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team.

“Our riders are ready to take on this next level of racing and we're looking forward to competing against the best teams in the world. I would like to extend a special thank you to the promoters for the invite, which will help us further globalise our mission to inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes.”

In preparations for the year ahead, the team has been participating in an eventful past two months starting with a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican to celebrate World Diabetes Day (November 14).
 
Credit: Team Novo Nordisk 


A week later, Novo Nordisk riders participated in a rigorous 36-hour pre-season boot camp created by Acumen Performance Group (APG) and led by former US Navy Seals in San Diego, before flying south of the border to endure two tireless days of building houses from the ground up for two families tragically impacted by diabetes and poverty in Rosarito, Mexico.
 
Credit: VeloImages


“When I first learned we would be training with former Navy Seals, I was shocked,” Ambrose told NZ Bike. “I had never done anything like that before with my teammates and I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, because I don’t think you can really understand what it’s like until you actually go through it.”
 
Credit: VeloImages


The 20-year-old Auckland native, who gave Novo Nordisk its first victory when he took stage 2 – as well as the points classification – of Le Tour de Filipinas (UCI 2.2) in February, claimed the gruelling training camp was a total team building experience.

“I learned how important it is to have a good relationship with your teammates and how hard you can push yourself,” he said. “You think you’re at your limit, but you learn that you can go further.

“When you get out of your comfort zone and try harder, there are great rewards,” Ambrose continued. “After this week, I believe we will work extra hard for one another…next year, we won’t just be teammates, but more like brothers.”

The course began near Mission Bay before heading east into the desert, where temperatures dropped near freezing overnight. Athletes were divided into teams of five through a series of physically and mentally demanding exercises, relying heavily upon teamwork in order to finish tasks – something Williams will never forget.

“Cyclists aren’t really built for much else than riding a bike,” said the 34-year-old Queenslander. “After this experience, I’m seeing that it may pay for me to do a bit of gym and core work in the off-season.

“For the team, it was great to see everyone get involved,” Williams continued. “While we spend lots of time together at races, there are guys with different personalities who are quieter. Here everyone got involved and participated.

“A lot of the exercises relied on constant communication,” he explained further. “We have riders from 10 different countries and a lot of languages with the team, so accurate communication is essential...we learned how to improve upon this, and I think we all left knowing that even when you think you can’t do something, you have to because you don’t want to penalise your teammates.”

After completing training in California, the entire team – including staff – partnered with Hope Sports, a non-profit organisation that promotes personal growth and community among athletes through short-term service trips, to deliver door keys to both families’ finished homes.

"We ride for Team Novo Nordisk so we’re always working to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes, but I think coming to Mexico and building a home for a family affected by diabetes gave us something tangible to see that we’re making a difference,” said Williams.

"This week has been a great experience for everyone here.  A lot of us have been humbled by it and I think we’ll be more selfless now, and I think everyone is more willing to give more and help each other more.
 
Credit: Luis Garcia
 
Credit: Luis Garcia​
 
Credit: Luis Garcia


Like Ambrose, Williams firmly feels the two experiences have galvanised the team and forged a bond that could help them face the daunting challenges of the 2016 season and beyond.

"Cycling is very much a team sport and we have a lot of riders who are new to the sport,” said Williams, who took second in the mountains classification at the Tour of Estonia (2.1) in May. “I think this experience will teach them that with a little bit of sacrifice, you’ll get to the end goal, which in a race is getting your teammate to the finish line first."

Ambrose concurred, and said emotions surfaced for all once the build was complete.

“The Mexico experience was very rewarding because I think we tend to get caught up in our lives and forget what is happening in other parts of the world,” he said. “Coming and building a house for this family showed me how I have the ability to change a life. It showed me what is possible in terms of giving back in this world.

“We’ve always known we are riding to inspire people affected by diabetes, but now we can see what that actually means,” Ambrose concluded. “All of us had tears in our eyes when we met this family and were able to help them.”

Aaron S. Lee is a cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a guest contributor to NZ Bike.
 
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