Bicycle.net had the honor of being invited to the Team Type 1 training camp that was held in Santa Ynez, CA. What made this invite special was that Team Type 1 is a special team themselves. It goes beyond just the riders, the staff, the talent, or all of the pieces combined.
What makes Team Type 1 so special is what they are racing for. Almost every other team in professional cycling puts together the best group of riders that their budget will allow, and works hard to get results that will give their sponsors a return on their investment. Don’t get me wrong, Team Type 1 has to deliver the same results as other teams, but their mission goes beyond, well beyond.
Team Type 1 is proving every day that they can be competitive, even when four of their riders on the professional men’s team have Type 1 Diabetics. They go out on their bikes every day to show the world that they can compete at the highest levels of professional cycling and maintain their diabetes. But that is just where their Team Mission starts. They are also out to show the world that there is a healthy life beyond diabetes. That the children of the world that are becoming ever more at risk of obesity and diabetes, have an alternative. That these kids do not have to accept the onset of Type 2 diabetes and the solution is no different than what it takes to be a competitive type 1 diabetic, a good diet and a healthy dose of exercise.
I had the opportunity to talk with Gord Frasier (Director Sportif) and ask him a few questions about the team. Our first topic of conversation was about the Amgen Tour of California, which Team Type 1 has been invited to race, and what we could expect from the team. He stated that “We are going for stage wins, Ricardo can sprint, especially the bunch sprints where he can be very resourceful.” When I asked him if the invite to the Tour of California came as a surprise? Gord smiled at me and very proudly replied “It was no surprise, we deserve to be there, and we plan on proving that we deserve to be there.”
This year Team Type 1 will be riding the Orbea Opal with Shimano Dura-Ace, and Pro components. Their equipment is nothing short of top-of-the-line stealth rocket ships. And based on the decent down Figueroa Mountain that Bicycle.net was able to witness from the team car, the riders are feeling very confident on their bikes. We watched Phil Southerland fly down Figueroa Mountain at speeds topping 45mph, on very rough pavement, with nothing but ease. He looked like he was attached to rails. It was impressive.
The Training Camp atmosphere was light, and the team seemed extremely cohesive. They seem to not only be teammates, but friends. One very interesting part of this team is that they are a living, breathing, medical trial. Not just the four riders with Type 1 diabetes, but the rest of team without diabetes. They are all working to help the medical community learn what the body goes through at our physical limits with and without diabetes. The closely document what fuels they eat, what liquids they drink, and how it effects their blood sugar. The hope is that with all the data they are able to collect, they will be better able to better understand how to control blood sugar, when the human body is being pushed to limits thought extreme for a diabetic.
Bicycle.net got the chance to sit down with Phil Southerland (Team Type 1 Founder and Type 1 diabetic) for a sandwich after a massage and before a quick nap. We found Phil to be open, honest, and full of dreams. We covered topics ranging from the history of the team, to the hope of getting Team Type 1 to the big show, The Tour de France. But what most interested me was how the idea of the team was conceived. Phil was 15 years old, and was watching a bike race on the television when he decided that he was going to be a bicycle racer. You have love when dreams come true. The other thing that Phil stated about Team Type 1 was about results. Without question they had a successful season in 2008, and Phil believes that in “2009 they will make 2008 look like it was just an average season”. To hear the interview – CLICK HERE.
All of us at Bicycle.net truly enjoyed our day with Team Type 1, and we wish them a successful season. But more important, we hope that there message gets heard loud and clear. That it gets to every classroom. That the children of the world turn off their televisions and go out and ride their bikes. And eat just a little bit healthier.
Team Type 1 2009 Roster;
MEN: >Moises Aldape (MEX) >Jesse Anthony (USA) >Fabio Calabria* (AUS) >Joe Eldridge* (USA) >Ricardo Escuela (ARG) >Ken Hanson (USA) >Dan Holt (USA)
*Indicates athlete with Type 1 diabetes
Director Sportif: Vassili Davidenko (RUS)
Assistant Director: Gord Fraser (CAN)
General Manager: Tom Schuler (USA)
Assistant Manager: Marc Colbert (USA)
Head Soigneur: Bill Haelsen (USA)
Head Mechanic: Doug Berner (USA)
Mechanics: Chris Davidson, Alex Banyay
WOMEN: Veronica Leal Balderas (MEX) >Jacquelyn Crowell (USA) >Jennifer McRae (USA) >Morgan Patton* (USA) >Alison Powers (USA) >Samantha SchneideR >Kori Kelly (USA)
*Indicates athlete with Type 1 diabetes
Director Sportif: Jack Seehafer (USA)
Team Type 1 is sponsored by;
>Apidra® >Lantus® >FreeStyle Navigator® >OmniPod® >Dex4 >Orbea Bicycles >Louis Garneau Sports Inc. >Shimano >VSP Vision Care >DeFeet International >Albabici >Hibros Sport >Sci’Con >Park Tool >Nuun >Finish Line >Thule Racks >CatEye >Timex >Continental >GEARGRINDER™ >K-SWISS >Insight Healthcare Solutions >Sage Sports Therapy >The Sport Factory For Peak Performance >Foot Fitness Performance Center >Frio®
One Response to “Team Type 1 – An Inside Look At The Mission”
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I have been type 1 diabetic for over 34 years & started to ride a bike last year. I would be very interested in where to find practical advise on how to manage Blood sugars while getting in shape riding with type 1. Is there any practical advise out there like my BS is 150 & I ride 10 miles in 1 hour how much insulin should i take for my next meal? I have not found anything about exercise & Type 1 on the web!