When the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team takes the start at its first Friends Life Tour of Britain, the United Kingdom’s biggest professional cycling event, on September 7th, the riders of Team Novo Nordisk will be looking for results.

Team Novo Nordisk brings a motivated six-man squad to the British race, most of who are fresh off a successful USA Pro Challenge. The TNN roster includes: Joonas Henttala, David Lozano, Javier Megias, Andrea Peron, Charles Planet, and Martijn Verschoor.

“We are bringing riders who have shown good performances lately, and all six are ready for the challenge,” said Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “We have a complete team to fight for the general classification, sprints, breakaways and hilly stages. Now we hope for some good luck.”

In Colorado, Team Novo Nordisk’s leader Javier Megias left his mark on the American race by almost claiming the victory on Stage 1 after a solo late race attack and by spending more than 100 kilometers in a breakaway with retiring cycling legend Jens Voigt on the final stage.

“I hope to keep this high level of racing going while in Britain and try to get a victory there,” Megias said. “Victories are difficult, but I’ve had good performances and hopefully that win will come soon.”

Davidenko agrees that the 30-year-old Spanish rider has the ability to be a top competitor at the Friends Life Tour of Britain.

“After spending almost a month at high elevation racing at the Tour of Utah and USA Pro Challenge, Javier’s form has reached its peak,” Davidenko said. “He’s ready to compete against the best riders in the world. The Tour of Britain fits Javier perfectly and he will be a contender.”

In its first year as a 2.HC race, the 1,375.9-km Friends Life Tour of Britain stands out on Team Novo Nordisk’s schedule as a targeted late summer race. The American squad hopes to animate the eight-day stage race when it kicks off in Liverpool with a 104.8-km circuit race.

This year, the Friends Life Tour of Britain was upgraded to 2.0 HC status by cycling’s governing body, putting the race on par with major events like the Amgen Tour of California and Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey. The course features a summit finish on Stage 3 up the Tumble (a six-kilometer climb in South Wales), a 10-percent gradient uphill climb on Bridge Valley Road leading to the finish in Bristol on Stage 4, and a double-day in London, meaning both a time trial and road race, on the final day.

Known for its lumpy profile that benefits both sprinters and climbers, Team Novo Nordisk is bringing a well-rounded roster to support Megias, including climbers Lozano and Planet, sprinters Verschoor and Peron, and domestique Henttala. In total, these six strongmen earned 15 top 10 finishes in 2014, including four top five finishes and four podium appearances.

Team Novo Nordisk Friends Life Tour of Britain Roster (Sept 7-14):

Joonas Henttala (FIN), David Lozano (ESP), Javier Megias (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Charles Planet (FRA), Martijn Verschoor (NED).

Sport Directors: Pavel Cherkasov (USA), Massimo Podenzana (ITA).