Mads Pedersen Sets Sights on Vuelta Success and Future Tour de France Bid
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Turin, Italy – Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen is determined to maximize opportunities in the 2025 cycling season, beginning with a strong performance at the Vuelta a españa. The Danish rider is also looking ahead to a possible return to the Tour de France as early as 2026, fueled by a strategic shift in race focus.
Strategic Race Program for 2025
Pedersen will embark on an choice racing schedule in 2025, prioritizing the challenging cobbled Classics, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España. This decision comes as teammate Jonathan Milan receives dedicated support and stage-hunting opportunities at the Tour de France. This strategic allocation of resources reflects Lidl-Trek’s commitment to maximizing it’s potential across multiple Grand Tours and prestigious one-day races.
The 2024 season saw Pedersen achieve significant success, including four stage wins and five days in the maglia rosa at the Giro d’Italia, alongside securing the cyclamen points jersey. He also claimed victory at Gent-Wevelgem and achieved podium finishes at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Did You Know?
Pedersen’s versatility makes him a threat in both the classics and Grand Tours, showcasing his all-around cycling prowess.
Vuelta Ambitions and form
Arriving in Turin for the Vuelta’s start,Pedersen expressed his intent to replicate the success he found at the Giro. He aims to contend for stage wins,potentially securing the red leader’s jersey in the opening flat stage to Novara. “I wanted to get everything out of every possibility I had this year,” Pedersen stated. “The classics, that’s a no-brainer, then I wanted to perform at the Giro, to get as many wins as possible there. Why not go to the Vuelta with the same ambitions as we’ve had in the Giro?”
Pedersen’s readiness included winning the Danish time trial title and a focused training block in July. A strong showing at the Tour of Denmark, where he won two stages further solidified his form. He credits his team’s strength as crucial to his success. “The numbers are definitely good enough,” he affirmed, highlighting the support of teammates like Søren Kragh Andersen and Daan Hoole.
Lessons Learned from the Tour de France
Despite not being selected for the 2024 Tour de France, a decision made to prioritize sprinter Jonathan Milan, Pedersen views the experience as a valuable learning opportunity. He realized that focusing solely on the Tour doesn’t guarantee a successful season. “It made me realize that the Tour de France is not everything,” he explained. “If the Tour is the main focus, then you might not perform 100% in other races. I realised that you can have a good season without doing the Tour.”
This realization has not diminished his desire to return to the tour, potentially as early as 2026, with the ambition of winning the points jersey.
Pro Tip:
Riders often strategically select their race calendars to maximize performance and avoid burnout, demonstrating the importance of long-term planning in professional cycling.
Team Leadership and Collaboration
At the Vuelta, Pedersen will share leadership responsibilities with Ciccone. This collaborative approach allows both riders to capitalize on their strengths,with Pedersen focusing on stages suited to his skillset and Ciccone targeting mountain finishes. “On this team, we can deal with having two priorities,” Pedersen said.”We can share the work, we can share the pressure, and we can share the results.”
| Race | Year | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Giro d’Italia | 2024 | 4 Stage Wins,5 Days in Maglia Rosa,Points Jersey |
| Gent-Wevelgem | 2024 | Winner |
| Tour of Flanders | 2024 | 2nd Place |
| Paris-roubaix | 2024 | 3rd Place |
Looking ahead
Pedersen acknowledges the challenge posed by rivals like Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck),Bryan Coquard (Cofidis),and others in the sprint stages. Though, he remains confident in his ability to deliver results. “It makes it tougher to win stage 1, but nothing is impossible,” he stated. “I was racing against him in Denmark, and I have beaten him before in the sprint.”
With a clear strategy, strong team support, and unwavering determination, Mads Pedersen is poised for a successful Vuelta a España and a compelling return to contention for the Tour de France in the years to come. What impact will this strategic shift have on Pedersen’s overall career trajectory? And how will Lidl-Trek balance its ambitions across multiple Grand Tours?
Mads Pedersen’s career exemplifies the evolving strategies within professional cycling. The increasing specialization of roles within teams, as seen with Milan’s focus on sprints, reflects a data-driven approach to maximizing performance. This trend,coupled with the physical demands of Grand Tours,necessitates careful race selection and strategic recovery periods for riders. The emphasis on versatility,as demonstrated by pedersen’s success in both Classics and stage races,remains a valuable asset in the modern peloton.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mads Pedersen
- What is Mads Pedersen’s primary goal for the 2025 Vuelta a España? To win stage wins and contend for the red leader’s jersey.
- Why was Mads Pedersen not selected for the 2024 Tour de France? Lidl-Trek prioritized supporting sprinter Jonathan Milan for sprint stages.
- Is Mads Pedersen planning to return to the Tour de France? Yes, he hopes to compete in the Tour de france as early as 2026.
- What are some of Mads Pedersen’s key achievements in 2024? He won four stages and the points jersey at the Giro d’Italia,as well as victories at Gent-Wevelgem.
- How does Mads Pedersen approach team leadership at the Vuelta? He shares leadership with Ciccone, collaborating to maximize their combined strengths.
