The 2015 season continues for Team Novo Nordisk on Thursday, February 19 at Trofeo Laigueglia in Italy, which was recently upgraded to 1.HC UCI status for 2015. French rider Corentin Cherhal, who joined the professional squad this season, will make his professional debut at the one-day race.

“I am glad to see the Trofeo Laigueglia gain UCI 1.HC status,” said Vassili Davidenko, Team Novo Nordisk’s General Manager, “It is good to be back at one of the oldest and most challenging events in Italy.”

Team Novo Nordisk will bring a full eight-rider line-up to the 52nd edition of Trofeo Laigueglia, featuring Andrea Peron (ITA), Javier Megias (ESP), Joonas Henttala (FIN), Kevin de Mesmaeker (BEL), Martijn Verschoor (NED), Nicolas Lefrancois (FRA), Scott Ambrose (NZL) and newcomer Corentin Cherhal (FRA).

“It is always exciting to see a rider come up from our development program,” Davidenko added. “We are eager to see Corentin in action and compare his level to the elite European peloton. His goal for the race will be to help our leaders and stay with them over the climb.”

A month after his 21st birthday, Corentin Cherhal will race with the professional squad for the first time at Trofeo Laigueglia after two successful seasons with Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad. Racing mostly across the United States in 2014, the Frenchman is excited to be racing in Europe this season. In 2014, Cherhal took a notable victory on Stage 5 of the Crossroads Classic.

“I’m eager to start racing at the professional level. It’s important for me to continue to show progress and to experience the rhythm of a professional race firsthand,” said Cherhal. “I’m training hard to help my team win, and I’ll be better with each race.”

With an upgrade to 1.HC UCI status for 2015, the 52nd edition of Trofeo Laigueglia will feature 20 teams, five World Tour, to the Italian Riviera. With a historic course beginning and ending in Laigueglia, the peloton will face two intermediate sprints and three categorized climbs over the 190-kilometer race. The course will challenge riders with over 2,000 meters of climbing, but a long descent into a relatively flat final 20-kilometers could see a bunch gallop to the finish.

Team Novo Nordisk Trofeo Laigueglia (Feb 19):

Scott Ambrose (NZL), Corentin Cherhal (FRA), Joonas Henttala (FIN), Nicolas Lefrancois (FRA). Javier Megias (ESP), Kevin de Mesmaeker (BEL), Andrea Peron (ITA), Martijn Verschoor (NED).