MUGLA
Team Novo Nordisk cyclists in the Tour of Türkiye serve as important role models as they actively help raise awareness about diabetes through their participation in the race.
Filippo Ridolfo, who rides at the 61st Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, told Anadolu that he always tries to help children pay attention to Type 1 diabetes and do his best.
“We sometimes have children come into our bus during races—they want to see us, ask questions and learn more—and that’s the part of the job where you really realize you’re making an impact on these young people,” he stressed.
Ridolfo stressed he was “pretty young” when he was diagnosed.
“I was 12; at that age, there’s not much you can do, so you just have to be responsible, manage your diabetes as best as possible, and keep going,” he said.
The 24-year-old explained that after being diagnosed with diabetes, he adjusted his training accordingly but did not find it difficult.
“I didn’t have to change much—I just needed to understand myself better and how my body reacts, and I was fortunate to have that time to adjust,” he said.
Peron was 16 and didn’t even know what diabetes was
Another Team Novo Nordisk cyclist, Andrea Peron, said he was 16 when he was diagnosed, and at the beginning, he didn’t even know what diabetes was or what he could still do.
Speaking to Anadolu, he recalled the emotional conversation he had with his doctor.
“One of my first questions to my doctor was whether I could still ride my bike, and he said yes, even though it could help with my diabetes management,” Peron said. “At the beginning, it wasn’t easy, as I had to learn how to monitor my glucose more closely, but over time, it became natural, and now I don’t even think about it much. After a few years, I found this team and joined them, and fortunately, I’m here.”
When asked what changes he made to his training after the diagnosis, he said he adapted to his new routine accordingly.
“It’s not that easy, but that’s the important thing: watching your glucose and trying to keep it in target, but luckily there is a lot of technology right now, and it’s way easier than a few years ago,” he maintained.
Peron mentioned social responsibility projects and stressed that Team Novo Nordisk often organizes activities with them, saying: “It’s always nice to have that extra motivation.”
“I wish I had experienced something similar, so I really enjoy seeing them and encouraging them that everything is possible,” he added.
The 37-year-old sprinter said that it is inspiring to see young people who are like him, noting that when he was young, he did not know anything.
