The Team Novo Nordisk celebrates a historic milestone: the 22-year-old Czech Matyas Kopecky has won the Best Young Cyclist jersey at the 2025 Tour de la Région Pays de la Loire. This result marks the first time in the team's history that a rider has won the white jersey and represents the third jersey classification victory for the team since its inception.

Kopecky delivered a consistent and steady performance across all four stages, overcoming a competitive field to secure the white jersey. His result adds a significant milestone to the Team Novo Nordisk journey in professional cycling.

"This is a special moment, not just for Matyas, but for the entire project," said Phil Southerland, CEO and co-founder of Team Novo Nordisk. "Winning our first Best Young Rider jersey shows how far we've come and reinforces our belief that living with diabetes does not limit potential. Matyas raced with heart, and the team stayed strong behind him".

After finishing with the leaders in every stage, Kopecky secured the white jersey in yesterday's third stage, keeping challengers at bay on the fourth and final day of racing to finish seventh in the stage and seal the white jersey victory.

"This is a truly special moment," Kopecky began. "Not just for me, but for everyone involved with Team Novo Nordisk and the entire diabetes community. Stepping onto the podium at the end of the stage was incredible and gives an idea of the importance of what we've achieved".

"The start of the race was very nervous until the feed zone, and then things settled down. The guys did an excellent job keeping me up front, then the race exploded. The last 60 km were full gas, very technical circuits, left, right, up and down the steep climbs, but that's where I started feeling better. In the last lap Massimo (Podenzana) was telling me on the radio 'this is the last climb you attack' and when we reached the climb he started yelling 'ATTACK!!'. So I went with another FDJ guy and took seventh place and the white jersey. This is a race we walk away from without thinking 'what if'..."

This is only the third "jersey victory" in Team Novo Nordisk history, which means Kopecky enters an exclusive club alongside former riders Quentin Valognes and Charles Planet.

Team Novo Nordisk, the world's first professional cycling team dedicated to diabetes, continues to show what is possible when athletes race not just to win, but to inspire, educate, and empower. Kopecky's white jersey victory is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through perseverance, teamwork, and above all, conviction.