Mads Pedersen can already smell Van der Poel and Van Aert: "I don't belong there, but I'm very close"

At 27 years old, Pedersen has always been a formidable presence. It's no coincidence that he has already secured 33 victories over his seven seasons in the WorldTour. Throughout this time, he was a loyal member of Trek-Segafredo, which is now known as Lidl-Trek. It was under this team banner that he unexpectedly claimed the World Championship title in the rain-soaked Yorkshire of 2019. It was with this team that he began consistently winning WorldTour races from 2020 onwards, and, representing this outfit, he managed to triumph in at least one stage of all three Grand Tours in under a year, starting from 2022. His remarkable performance in the 2022 Vuelta also earned him the points jersey, thanks to an impressive three stage victories.

Mads Pedersen's meteoric rise has been particularly prominent over the last two years. In fact, it wasn't until 2022 that he consistently showcased himself as one of the best riders throughout the year. From the Grand Prix Cycliste de Marseille La Marseillaise in January to the Vuelta in September, he was a contender for victory, and he clinched it nine times. This season, he has already notched seven wins, showing that Pedersen has undoubtedly reached an even higher level than the previous season. This transformation was largely attributed to his strong performance in the classics during the spring, where he secured notable results. He claimed sixth place in Milan-Sanremo, fifth in Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen, third in the Tour of Flanders, and fourth in Paris-Roubaix. Additionally, he secured a stage victory in the Giro d'Italia before his participation was cut short due to a COVID-19 infection, and he later secured another stage win in the Tour de France. At the World Championships, he finished in fourth place, following a fierce battle with Van der Poel, Van Aert, and Pogacar in the thrilling final in Glasgow.

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He can sense the world's elite, and he openly acknowledges it in conversation with this website. "I can win a Monument, judging purely by the results. Cycling has its superstars, and I may not be one of them, but I'm close. Someday, when everything aligns perfectly, I can win a Monument, and I work tirelessly towards that goal every single day," Pedersen declared, revealing the missing piece in his list of achievements: a Monument victory. Winning Milan-Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, or Il Lombardia—that's what fuels the Dane's ambition.

However, he might be underestimating himself, as few riders in the WorldTour exhibit greater consistency than he does. But Pedersen remains modest. He even chuckles a bit when attempts are made to convince him that maintaining peak form from January through October is far from ordinary. "I have my off days too," he insists. When it's mentioned that these off days are scarcely visible, he shakes his head. "You do see them, but you tend to forget them. Just a week before the World Championships, I couldn't finish the Super 8 Classic, so I, too, experience the physical strain and fatigue. But with determination, you can still perform well in multiple races."

Is that the secret? A resolute mindset that pushes through despite the aching legs? Yet, Pedersen also credits Lidl-Trek for his successful formula. "I'm not entirely sure how I do it. We have effective training, rest well, and race frequently. We devised that plan in the winter and have stuck to it." The next stops on Pedersen's plan include Münsterland and Paris-Bourges, naturally with legs that remain poised for victory. "My form is excellent; otherwise, I wouldn't be here," he stated with conviction before the start of the European Championships in Drenthe. "If I lacked motivation, it wouldn't be fair to Denmark or my team for me to compete."