Exciting season ahead for neo-pro cyclist Hamish Beadle

Invercargill cyclist Hamish Beadle is looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge as he can during his first season as a professional with Team Novo Nordisk.

Team Novo Nordisk is an American-based cycling team with a mission to inspire, educate and empower those with diabetes.

Beadle has lived with type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed when he was 3-years-old and he came to prominence when he impressed at one of Team Novo Nordisk’s summer Talent ID camps in 2015, earning a ride in the team’s development squad.

During the 2019 season, the 21-year-old’s achievements included winning the Hincapie Spring Series, the Massachusetts State Road Race, the Georgia Games Time Trial and Road Race, the Hapeville Criterium and the Three River Rumble Road Race. He also had podium finishes at the Oak Ridge Omnium, Haute Route Asheville, Burlington Road Race and Tennessee State Criterium.

Now the gritty Southlander will get an opportunity to ride against the best cyclists in the world.

Speaking from the team’s January training camp in Altea, Spain, Beadle said he was excited about what 2020 had in store for him.

“To be here, and to be riding with the team, has been a huge eye-opener. They don’t muck around. I’ve been trying to learn as much as possible,” he said.

“It’s been awesome. A lot of the guys were on the development team at certain points and I know pretty much half the team already, and they’ve been really nice and welcoming.”

Team Novo Nordisk chief executive and co-founder Phil Southerland said Beadle had earned his call up.

“Hamish came to us as a fearless kid, who was willing to fight for victory from Day 1. He has carried that attitude forward, and through each step, doubled down on his work ethic and willingness to make sacrifices on and off the bike so that he can continue to win,” Southerland said.

“He has a bike racer’s instinct and can read a race well. Over the past season, he’s made big strides in his climbing, breakaway prowess and diet while continuing to have a superfast finish. I look forward to seeing Hamish as part of the Team Novo Nordisk’s family for years to come.”

Beadle learnt midway through last year then his progress had earned him a promotion to life as a neo-pro.

“It was before we left for Belgium and it was a lot to process when we were getting ready. It was a really cool feeling - a bit of relief and also nerves as well, because it’s a big step up,” he said.

“I was supposed to do the Tour of Southland and it was all set up, but I had to switch coaches with the new team and the new coach and I decided that it was best to stop the season then and there and have a break and just chill out.

“We finished the year on the development team in Belgium in August or September, and then I flew home to Invercargill and pretty much spent the offseason training there, just chilled out with the family.”

Beadle will base himself in the Spanish town of Girona, a popular spot for professional cyclists, for the 2020 season.

“It’s a big shift from Invercargill, and Atlanta, Georgia (where the development team are based). It’s completely the other side of the world and it’s been hard leaving home and the family, but I think it’s good to get away and I’m going to be renting a house with another Kiwi, so that will be cool.”

Beadle was unsure when he would be making his professional debut.

He had been targeting this month’s Tour of Hainan in China, but that race has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and he may now have to wait until the UCI 2.2 Vuelta Cyclista a Chiloe in Chile later in March.

Beadle aims not to put too much pressure on himself in his debut season.

“I have a couple of goals in the back of my mind, but I just want to learn as much as possible off these guys and take things as they come,” he said.

“These guys have been doing it for years and years, so when we go to races, I’ll try and use the experience. It would be good to get up into some of the sprints in the races that I do, but one step at a time, I guess.”