Press Release
Raising awareness: Cyclers battle Type 1 diabetes but still compete
by Joe Medley of The Anniston Star
April 16, 2010
Even as Team Type 1 members race their bikes around the Sunny King Criterium course Saturday, they'll be thinking bigger than just winning a race.
Three of the six Team Type 1 cyclists scheduled to race in downtown Anniston have Type 1 diabetes, and their team races to raise awareness and spirits for others afflicted with the disease.
They hope to some day take the cause to cycling's ultimate race.
"We hope to bring our team to a different level," team director Vassili Davidenko said. "Our target is to be at the Tour de France in 2012 and have guys affected by diabetes in the team."
The team is well on its way, with 60 riders on six teams, ranging from developmental to pro teams. The list includes pro men's and women's teams.
The pro men's team will split its 17 riders between the Sunny King Criterium and Tour of Mexico this weekend. Four of the pro men's riders have Type 1.
The rest of the riders on Team Type 1's other teams are affected by the disease.
Type 1diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. Team Type 1 was founded in 2004 by Atlanta's Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge.
Southerland was diagnosed with the flu at 7 months old and lost more than half of his body weight when his mother began to suspect something more serious. Doctors discovered he had Type 1 and predicted he would lose his eyesight by age 20.
Now at 27, he's been racing bikes since 13. He's "reading, riding and keeping his (disease) under control with diet, exercise and his insulin regimen," according to his bio on teamtype1.org.
Team Type 1 members hope to inspire others with the disease to similar outcomes.
"The message of the team is, no matter what, with the right tools, you can have a regular, successful life," Davidenko said. "You can have a successful life in a sport and compete on a high level."
Team members do what's recommended for all with diabetes. They watch their diet, get exercise, monitor their blood sugar levels extensively and maintain their regimen of medication.
They check their sugar before each race.
"It's checking your blood sugar quite often and being ahead of the highs and lows," said rider Olaf Kerkhof, who will ride with fellow Type 1 sufferers Stradford Helms and Simon Bennett in Anniston on Saturday.
The team's sponsors include makers of products suited for those with diabetes.
They include FreeStyle Navigator, a continuous glucose monitoring system that uses a sensor on the back of the upper arm or abdomen. Team Type 1 uses the minute-by-minute information during training and competition to adjust their blood sugar level.
The team also uses Chocolate #9, an energy gel that reduces glycemic spiking and related fatigue, and Dex4, a fast-acting glucose for rapidly raising blood sugar during racing and training.
While such products help diabetic team members maintain a high competitive level, feedback they receive on their travels gives them another gear.
"Every race we go to, we have supporters," Davidenko said. "People come to us and say, ‘Thank you guys for doing this.'
"Especially with kids is when you hear from someone that we helped them change their lives because, before, they've been scared to go out. Now, they hear about our team, and they come over and want to see the team and feel like they're part of the team.
"It's a great experience."