Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team, brings a squad featuring three motivated French riders to the one-day Tro-Bro Léon, which is held in Finistère, France.

“This race is very unique as it features 25 dirt road sectors known as ribins,” Team Novo Nordisk General Manager Vassili Davidenko said. “We plan to race aggressively to keep our leaders at the front and maintain the best possible position if the group splits on the off-road sections.”

Tro-Bro Léon, often referred to as “Le Petit Paris-Roubaix,” is famous for its 30 kilometers of dirt, cobblestone and gravel roads. Now in its 32nd edition and 10th as a UCI 1.1-category race, the race will host three World Tour teams and a strong field of Pro Continental teams.

Looking to build upon early season, Team Novo Nordisk will field a strong roster featuring former 11-time Spanish National Cyclocross and Mountain Bike Champion David Lozano and former French mountain bike racer Charles Planet. Team Novo Nordisk’s eight-man roster includes Corentin Cherhal (FRA), Kevin De Mesmaeker (BEL), Joonas Henttala (FIN), Nicolas Lefrançois (FRA), David Lozano (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Charles Planet (FRA) and Chris Williams (AUS).

“Charles Planet is our man for the day. He has excellent bike handling skills and is racing at home,” Davidenko said. “We hope for a sunny day, but Charles will be confident in any weather.”

The 22-year-old French rider was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10. The celebrated mountain biker is a former Lorraine mountain bike and cyclocross champion. As a stagiaire for Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad, Planet won the Litespeed BMW Twilight Criterium in August and was ninth overall at the Georgia Cycling Grand Prix. In 2014, Planet held the Most Courageous Jersey at the Tour of California for his efforts in a 180-km breakaway.

“My experience racing mountain bikes will help me a lot as I’m not afraid of the dirt sections of Tro-Bro Léon,” Planet said. “The ribins are little farm roads with grass in the middle, so it’s single file on the left and the right and a constant fight to keep your position. If it rains, it will be a crazy race, but just like cyclocross, I thrive in those conditions.”

Contested over 204.4-km, the challenging ribin sections will undoubtedly see only the strongest riders emerge at the front. Last year’s wet and muddy edition saw less than half of the field complete the race. Davidenko hopes for a sunny day, but in less-than-ideal conditions Team Novo Nordisk will have cards to play.

Team Novo Nordisk Roster Tro Bro Léon (Apr 19):

Corentin Cherhal (FRA), Kevin De Mesmaeker (BEL), Joonas Henttala (FIN), Nicolas Lefrançois (FRA), David Lozano (ESP), Andrea Peron (ITA), Charles Planet (FRA), Chris Williams (AUS).