A new weekend of cycle events in aid of Diabetes Ireland has been announced. The Changing Diabetes Cycle will see events take place in Limerick on Saturday June 21, and Dublin the following day, Sunday June 22.
These all-new cycle events are built around Limerick native, international professional cyclist and Diabetes Ireland ambassador Stephen Clancy, who himself is among more than 190,000 people in Ireland who have diabetes. Currently one in three families in Ireland is affected by the condition.
Stephen said of the event, “I am thrilled to support Diabetes Ireland in this fundraising event which is designed to allow anyone with a bicycle to participate. I am looking forward to meeting those from within and outside the diabetes community, of all ages, over the two days and hopefully my story can inspire others out there.”
Limerick native Stephen is a professional cyclist with Team Novo Nordisk, an international team in which every rider has type 1 diabetes. He was awarded a professional contract in 2012 after impressing in trials, just six months after he was diagnosed with diabetes.
Stephen is also a former winner of the Best Domestic Based Cyclist, awarded by Cycling Ireland in 2011, for his performances on the Irish roads. He has adapted impressively to the travel and the increased level of competition which comes with life as an international professional athlete.
“My journey over the past two years has been incredible; from the lows of thinking I could not cycle again due to my diagnosis with type 1 diabetes, to the continuing highs of fulfilling my boyhood dream and travelling the world as a professional cyclist” Stephen added.
‘Changing diabetes’ is the motto that adorns the kits of Stephen and all of Team Novo Nordisk’s riders, whose objectives are to provide inspiration to millions of people around the world (372 million globally) with diabetes in addition to educating and empowering them in their day-to-day management.
On both days there will be a 25km Family Cycle in addition to a 60km and a 100km loop cycle for those more serious cyclists.
This event is supported by Stephen’s team sponsor Novo Nordisk along with Uniphar and Abbott and registration can be completed online at www.diabetes.ie
