Danish cyclist of the year-election leads to furious resonses: 'People vote for the rider they like most'

Denmark currently boasts two undisputed world stars in cycling in Jonas Vingegaard and Mads Pedersen. Both the Lidl-Trek rider and the man racing for Visma | Lease a Bike enjoyed outstanding seasons, which made one question inevitable: who would be named Danish Cyclist of the Year?The result is now known, and it has sparked considerable controversy.

It was Pedersen who claimed the award for the third time in his career. That meant Vingegaard, who finished second overall in the Tour de France and went on to win the Vuelta a España, was overlooked. The decision has not gone down well with analyst Christian Moberg, who believes there was only one rightful winner. “In my world, there is absolutely no doubt,” he told TV2.

“I can fully understand that Mads Pedersen has had an incredible season, but the same applies to Jonas Vingegaard,” Moberg explained. At the very highest level, he feels the climber simply showed more. “Winning a Grand Tour outweighs almost everything - apart from winning the World Championships, the Giro and the Tour.”

Emil Axelgaard agrees, albeit in a more measured tone. He also acknowledges that Pedersen enjoyed a top-class year. “The Tour is so much bigger than all other cycling races that a second place there carries enormous weight. At the same time, he made history by becoming the first Dane ever to win the Vuelta. For me, those two results outweigh what Mads achieved,” Axelgaard said.

That said, Pedersen did not win the award without reason. The result was decided by licensed members of the Danish Cycling Federation — riders, staff members and others involved in the sport. One of those voters was Emil Vinjebo.“Mads Pedersen has delivered all year long,” Vinjebo argued. “It’s also about his racing style - the way he won Gent-Wevelgem with that long solo attack. He has put the classics back on the map.”

According to Vinjebo, the focus on the Tour de France is exaggerated, as there are many major races throughout the season. “The people voting for Cyclist of the Year are not only following the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. They also follow the classics and the races where Mads Pedersen excels. I think those results carry just as much weight for them as the Grand Tours.”

Moberg, however, suspects that voters may not have looked closely enough at the results. “We’ll have to discuss whether this is a popularity contest or a competition based on performances,” he grumbled. “That’s not for me to decide. People probably vote for the rider they like the most. And you can certainly say that Mads Pedersen is doing very well.”