Flying under the radar, but not for long for Team Type 1
Coming into the race as a bit of an unknown quality, Team Type 1 is confident that their name and mission will be well known by the end of the Tour of California. For the first time ever, two riders with Type 1 diabetes - American Phil Southerland and Australian Fabio Calabria - will be racing in the nine-day race. In its second year of existence, Team Type 1 continues on its mission to instill hope and inspiration for people around the world affected by diabetes.
Fabio Calabria is ready for the big race
“It’s going to be hard but I am very excited about doing it. I think it’s a good opportunity for this team to step up and show everyone in the world who we are and that we are a strong team.” said 21-year old Calabria.
“I’ve never raced at that level and caliber. My teammates that have done the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France have told me how hard of a race this is going to be so I don’t know but I feel that I’ve done the training.” said Southerland.
We met the Team Type 1 squad during their final preparation in the weeks leading up to the nine-day race that starts on Valentine’s Day. Directeur Sportif Vassili Davidenko knows that his team is ready and is confident that they will deliver.
“We prepare for media, we prepare for race. I think we’ll do well. I don’t want to tell our specific plan, but we’ll be there and we’ll be on the top.”
Australian Matt Wilson took the leadership mantle last year and has high hopes for his team. “I’d love to have at least a couple of guys in the top 10 overall, maybe one on the podium and a stage win would be great.”
A man of experience, Wilson compared the performance of his team with his competitors at Tour Down Under in January. “It’s such a strong team and the guys are going really well. I was racing those guys at Tour Down Under and they’re not going much better than anyone else. I come here and see my teammates and I know that they are going just as good so it’s a course that suits us as a team.”
Looking for an overall top ten, if not a podium, South African Darren Lill who finished seventh at the Tour of Missouri time trial will be saving himself until the Solvang stage. “I am optimistic and positive, I think we have a strong team overall.”
Chris Jones, who curtailed his cross season to get ready for the race will be “doing the heavy lifting” but like the rest of the team will “always try to opportunistic and get into breaks.”
According to Jones, it is to their advantage that the team is flying under the radar. “Last year at Tour de Georgia was our first big international event, we were third on team overall, we had 3 in the top 15, and still teams outside the US don’t know us yet. I think we’re capable of doing that again, I’d be really disappointed if we didn’t have at least one guy in the top 10 and be right up there on teams again.”
“Last year, the team had some decent results, there are some good guys here that their names are started to get recognized a little bit now, obviously people know guys like Matt Wilson and Moises Aldape, he did well in Brasstown Bald last year so his name will probably on some people’s radar for the climbs, we’ll have to see.” said Lill about flying under the radar.
A perfect opportunity for Team Type 1 at the Tour of California to highlight its mission and continue on its goal of racing at the Tour de France in 2012.
“It’s exciting. I think it’s going to be one of the biggest races. Never before have I gone to the local coffee shop and people are ‘you race bikes? Are you going to be in the Tour of California?” Everyone knows it. I feel fortunate to be on the team.” said Jones.
The Team Type 1 roster for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California is Phil Southerland, Fabio Calabria Chris Jones, Ian MacGregor, Matt Wilson, Moises Aldape, Valeriy Kobzarenko and Darren Lill.
