Despite troubles, Team Type 1 keeps on rolling

June 22nd, 2009 by Al Fresco View Comments

While everything on four wheels seemed to be breaking down around it Sunday, Team Type 1 smoothly rolled on in the Race Across America (RAAM). After suffering a fire on sunday morning that totalled on of their team minvans, the team was further plagued by troubles when the transmission on their team RVs seized up later in the day. Team Type 1 Manager Dave Eldridge called it the worst stretch of luck he has had in four years of working the race.

The crew is dealing with the logistics and troubles while allowing the eight riders (who all have Type 1 diabetes) to focus on the race. As of the last report, they are riding at a pace two miles an hour faster than the Byggkjøp presented by BMC Cycling Team that won last year in a record time of five days, nine hours and 43 minutes.

Through the first 293 miles of the non-stop race from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md., Team Type 1 is averaging 26.74 mph. Team ViaSat remains second, averaging 25.58 mph.

All eight athletes on Team Type 1 have Type 1 diabetes, a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to properly control blood sugar levels. The team finished second last year.