Team Type 1 has had a strong season (Image credit: Mark Zalewski)
Belgian all-rounder Willem Van den Eynde will join Team Type 1 in 2009, while the American squad has also announced the re-signing of Australian Fabio Calabria. Both riders have Type 1 diabetes and must constantly monitor their blood sugar and food intake while using insulin that is permitted by a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
"The amazing thing about Willem is that he has accomplished so much without the benefit of much of the technology and medicine that is available in the United States," Beamon said. "He is really excited about having the support of sanofi-aventis and our other diabetes industry sponsors as he continues to learn how to manage his diabetes."
Team Type 1's Ed Beamon said Calabria's success in his first professional season provided the team with the confidence it can meet its stated goal to put a racer with Type 1 diabetes in the Tour de France by 2012.
"Starting the season when he was only 20, Fabio showed great maturity and discipline and played a significant role in virtually every one of our major international stage race successes," Beamon said. "We are looking forward to his continued development, and expect to see him on the podium in 2009."
Competing for the DCM-GB Vorselaar squad in 2008, 18 year-old Van den Eynde won five races and scored nearly 20 podium finishes. A former competitive swimmer, he is the nephew of Guy Vandijck, a former Belgium cyclo-cross standout who raced professionally from 1990-94.
"They [Team Type 1] are an example for all the people – not only for those with diabetes – because they prove that everything is possible," said Van den Eynde.
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