ROBBE CEURENS

Novo Nordisk Conti team’s Belgian puncheur on riding with diabetes

Tell me about Robbe. Robbe is a 19 year old from Vlezenbeek in Flemish Brabant, just south west of Brussels, who was diagnosed with diabetes aged 14. No matter, though, he still races with Team Novo Nordisk’s Continental team. The American squad’s riders are all diabetic.

How’s he finding the team?

This is his second year with Novo Nordisk. Robbe tells Procycling: “It’s really nice. When you cycle with diabetes, it’s a struggle, and I saw this team. It’s a dream to be in; everything is perfect. Everyone has diabetes, so you can ask about stuff. They have experience. It is the best team to be in for me.”

Riding with diabetes? Is that not a challenge?

It makes things more complicated, to put it lightly. Robbe explains: “You always need to look after it. You have to check your blood sugar levels. If you’re too high you can’t perform optimally, and if you’re too low your muscles won’t work as well. You can’t not look after it for a few hours. If you go too low, it’s the same as bonking, but you can get it after a few minutes if it’s not the right amount.”

What kind of rider is he?

He’s obviously still developing, so this is all still up in the air, but Robbe fancies himself as a sprinter. He was better at climbs as a junior, but is now getting his kick sorted.

Does he have any results of note?

His U23 career has been hampered by the pandemic, with most races cancelled last year, and this year is an uphill battle as well. At his first race of 2021, the Trofej Umag, Robbe finished 10th in a competitive field. He says: “I was surprised to finish in the top 10, and I was very happy to start the season like this. It was amazing, but unfortunately now there are no races, so it’s difficult to keep getting results.”

How did he get into cycling?

Cycling runs in the blood, it seems: “My grandfather was a cyclist, not a professional, but the level below. He was also the sports director of the local team, so

I grew up with cycling.”