Spaniard living with type 1 diabetes takes the climber’s jersey as America’s biggest one-day race returns after a decade away
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — David Lozano (ESP) of Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team, won the King of the Mountains classification at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic, leading the day’s decisive breakaway over the Manayunk Wall and Lemon Hill on the return of America’s most prestigious one-day professional race. Teammate Filippo Ridolfo (ITA) finished 12th.
The Philadelphia Cycling Classic has attracted the sport’s best riders since its first edition in 1985, when Olympic champion Eric Heiden won. Saturday’s race was the first running since 2016, ending a ten-year hiatus. The 200-kilometer course sent the peloton over eight laps of a 23.2-km circuit before two shorter finishing loops through Fairmount Park. It was the Manayunk Wall, a punishing climb off Main Street with pitches of 17 percent, that proved decisive.
“Racing in Philadelphia, on American roads, in front of American crowds, is exactly where this team belongs. Sixteen years ago, David was told his career was finished because he has type 1 diabetes. Today he was the best climber in America’s biggest bike race. That is the whole reason this team exists,” said Phil Southerland, CEO and Co-Founder, Team Novo Nordisk.
Team Novo Nordisk attacked from the gun. Sam Brand (GBR) went in the opening moves, and Quinten De Graeve (BEL) followed, and when those attempts were shut down, it was Lozano who made the split that stuck. A seven-rider group that built a lead of more than a minute and a half stayed clear for roughly five laps. Lozano was second over the first ascent of the Wall, then took maximum points on every climb that followed, leading the break over the top of the Manayunk Wall for a fifth time to secure the mountains classification before the reduced peloton finally closed the gap.
“It’s really nice to be back in America for a race. Every one of us tried to be in the move today. Sam went first, then Quinten, and then it was my turn. I went for the first climb, and I was second, which was a bit of a shame. After that, I was first over all of them, the Wall and Lemon Hill,” said Lozano.
Lozano was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010 at the age of 22, at the height of a mountain bike career that had already brought him eleven national championships across mountain bike and cyclocross in Spain and a professional contract at 18. His team ended that contract after the diagnosis. Determined to keep racing, he contacted Southerland directly and joined Team Novo Nordisk, where the 37-year-old is now in his 14th season.
“There are not many races left this season, but a day like this gives all the guys motivation. That is what matters.”
Tim Torn Teutenberg (Lidl-Trek) took the win from a late breakaway in 4:20:55, ahead of Robert Donaldson (Jayco-AlUla) and Jonas Rutsch (Lotto-Intermarché). Ridolfo was Team Novo Nordisk’s top finisher in 12th.
“Every person who has been diagnosed and watched the race today saw a man with type 1 diabetes on the podium with the best bike racers in the world. This continues to prove what is possible with diabetes,” concluded Southerland.
About Team Novo Nordisk
Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team, spearheaded by the world’s only all-diabetes professional cycling team, racing to inspire, educate, and empower everyone affected by diabetes and promote an active, healthy lifestyle. For more information, go to www.teamnovonordisk.com.
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SOURCE Team Novo Nordisk
