JOE ELDRIDGE*



  • Atlanta GA
  • Age: 29
  • Professional Since 2008

A pure athlete, Joe Eldridge has always found his passion at the starting line. Diagnosed at age 10 with diabetes, he played soccer and football until a love for cycling led him to professional competition. Diabetes became an afterthought, second to the bike, until a meeting with Phil Southerland (a fellow cyclist with diabetes) led him to a life of managed care, control of the disease and podium finishes. Today, Eldridge has become a role model for athletes with diabetes, proving daily that with self care and control there are no limits to success.

Teaming with Southerland in 2004, Eldridge merged cycling and a mission to redefine the possibilities for athletes with diabetes to create Team Type 1. The team, a first of its kind professional cycling squad, included 8 athletes with diabetes. Together they embarked on a race to history, landing a second place finish in the 2006 Race Across America – a 3000-mile grueling ride.

In 2007, with powerhouse Eldridge often pulling at the front, Team Type 1 won Race Across America in 5 days, 15 hours and 43 minutes, shattering the competition by nearly three hours. The team remains an intimidating force, capturing the win or podium finish every year since they’ve participated in the endurance race.

Now comprised of 21 members, the Team Type 1 men’s professional cycling squad is a crown jewel in an organization of 101 athletes from 11 countries, spanning cycling, running and triathlons – all dedicated to bringing hope and inspiration to people across the world touched by diabetes. The men's professional team has set for itself the formidable goal in 2012 of racing in the Tour de France.

While his position as a Team Type 1 professional rider often keeps him in the saddle, Eldridge is motivated by his quest to offer hope of a better life for those battling diabetes. In addition to training 6 hours a day and competing in over 70 races a year, he relishes his primary role as an advocate for good control by sharing his achievements and providing tips and information to fans and supporters with diabetes.

A blogger for diabetesselfmanagement.com, he also travels the world during the off season, participating in the Tour de Cure and sharing his story to offer living proof that managed care, good nutrition and exercise are the foundations of successful living with diabetes.

This year, Eldridge will also participate in groundbreaking research by Southerland’s newly created TT1 Diabetes Sports Research Institute to help establish and evaluate diabetic athletic performance and examine disease management and its control in high-level competition. He aspires to be a role model for young athletes with diabetes and offer guidance for success for all athletes with diabetes.

Eldridge and his wife currently reside in Atlanta, where Team Type 1 is headquartered.



CAREER HIGHLIGHTS


  • 1st, West Indies vs. the World Series Track Series (15-lap scratch race), 2008
  • 1st, West Indies vs. the World Series Skinner Park (15-lap scratch race), 2008
  • 1st, Festival of Speed #2 (""truly unknown distance"" race), 2008