Racing to promote diabetes awareness

IT IS DAUNTING to look at, and even more scary to think about. The Manayunk Wall, as it is known, is a task in itself to navigate. Some of the best cyclers in the world will find that out tomorrow, as the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic is back for another year.

Twenty-four women's and 19 men's cycling teams from all across the world will come to Philadelphia to see which male and female rider can take home the two $31,000 top prizes.

One of the men's teams, Team Novo Nordisk, has turned its general disadvantage on the course to an inspiration for all. The team, founded by Phil Southerland in 2012, is composed of cyclists who have Type 1 diabetes. Southerland, who has diabetes himself, saw his disease as an opportunity to turn heads.

"The thought was that people need inspiration," Southerland said. "Diabetes is very much a team disease. It requires a lot of effort from families, health-care professionals, and really a lot of work by the individuals on a daily basis."

While Team Novo Nordisk is competing in tomorrow's bike race, it also has other athletes competing in different sports, including triathlons and running competitions all over the globe. Athletes take pride in being a part of the team, which aims to raise awareness about diabetes.

"It is special to ride for Team Novo Nordisk, because we are all athletes who will fight for the win, but we are also inspiring people affected by diabetes," said Martijn Verschoor, 29, one of tomorrow's riders. "I love meeting young fans who are inspired by our team. It gives our team extra motivation to race and to win."

The team itself defies what doctors even 5 years ago told diabetics what they could do, though the cyclists on Team Novo Nordisk take extra precautions while partaking in competition.

"While training, racing and recovering, we must continually check our blood sugar levels," Verschoor said. "If those levels are out of range, we must make adjustments to our medication or our nutrition plan. So we need to do more than a typical professional bike racer."

The team has had success in the past, and has its sights set on winning in Philadelphia in one of the oldest and most prestigious cycling events in America.

The Novo Nordisk cyclists look forward to the Philly race every year, not only because of the opportunity presented to them to compete, but also to the fans who cheer them on during the race.

"The race in Philadelphia is very special, with a big history and, of course, the famous Wall," Verschoor said. "There are so many spectators, and it is amazing to race here. Every year, I look forward to competing in this race."

"It is a little bit different here. It is a little crazier," Southerland said. "The fans drink a little bit more of whatever they are drinking while watching the bike race. They have some of the best fans in the country on Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill. The riders get really fired up about racing in front of thousands of screaming fans."

The fans will be out as they always are, lining the streets of Manayunk and surrounding areas to catch a glimpse of the riders as they fly by. Winning an event such as this one could be big for the cyclists, as they try to inspire those with Type 1 diabetes to live life to the fullest.

"Sometimes, people need motivation," Southerland said. "A team of people with diabetes competing on the world's top stage; it proves to people they should get out there and pursue their dreams by taking control of their diabetes."

Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic

Sunday (Women's 8:30 a.m., Men's noon)

Start/Finish: Top of Manayunk Wall on Lyceum Avenue above Manayunk Avenue

Defending champions: Men, Kiel Reijnen; women, Evelyn Stevens

TV: Live stream at www.phillycyclingclassic.org/