1.8 million children and adolescents (<20) are living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) globally, according to a 2024 report provided by the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas . When your body stops producing enough insulin or is unable to use it properly, it can lead to a condition called diabetes.
Professional cycling demands enormous physical effort, while Type 1 diabetes requires constant attention to your body. What does managing diabetes during a race actually look like?
We have faced so many barriers, such as stigma, people who believe that type 1 diabetes prevents us from living a normal life. It has been both interesting and challenging, but mostly, it has been extremely rewarding. By competing at the best level of professional sports, we have demonstrated that T1D is not a problem or burden for anything in life, as long as you take your medication and work hard for your goals. I began to compete when I already had six or seven years living with T1D on my back. So, once I decided to give cycling a go, I quickly realised I would need to master my diabetes management. I never thought that it would be impossible. I simply focused on learning quickly what my needs were and how to fix problems, such as keeping the energy levels up or the glucose within an optimal target. I never saw T1D as a burden. I would encourage them to learn as quickly as possible how to manage this new life. The sooner you dominate your diabetes, the sooner your life will be normal. To the family, I would say: please support your kid and their dreams all the way. They need you to be by their side. You’re the biggest reference for your kid – if you give up, they will as well. You really need to plan and use all the tools and knowledge that you have. Pro cyclists train and race pretty much every day, all year round, so you learn a lot. Then you need to get experience during races. Planning big efforts, adjusting your medication, keeping a careful race nutrition plan, and, most importantly, knowing how to quickly resolve a hypo or hyperglycemia.
