Pedersen pays tribute to powerful Lidl–Trek teammate who saved Giulio Ciccone’s Vuelta day

Pedersen undoubtedly hoped to be in the breakaway on Tuesday so that he could pick up some points for the green points classification at the intermediate sprint after 153 kilometers. However, it turned out to be a tough job to be in the leading group of the day. Eighteen riders succeeded, after more than three (!) hours of hard racing at an average speed of over 50 kilometers per hour.

Julien Bernard ultimately did participate on behalf of Lidl-Trek. The 33-year-old Frenchman usually rides his heart out for others, but now he could dream of an excellent result for himself. However, when the peloton got going and Bernard had taken 20 points at the intermediate sprint, he dropped back from the front group. Bernard did not let himself be pushed aside immediately, though, and continued riding, enabling him to do some crucial work in the final phase.

“A lot of guys wanted to make the break, and a lot of guys didn’t want some other people in the break, so that’s why it went so fast” Pedersen analyzed the first hours of the Vuelta stage. "Julien [Bernard] was at the front. He’s such an underestimated bike rider. As a teammate, he’s one of the best guys you can have. If you tell him to pull on the flat, he’s there; on a day like today, he makes the break… "

Pedersen had also seen that leader Giulio Ciccone had suddenly been dropped by the rest at the bottom of the final climb. The reason was unknown, but the Italian found his legs again and tried to catch up. Bernard set the pace and brought his leader back. "He was super valuable. When Cicco [Giulio Ciccone] was dropped a bit, Julien waited and pulled for him. I only have good words and massive respect for Julien Bernard. It’s definitely because of people like him that we are able to win bike races, and we’re able of dreaming to win more stages and take this green jersey to the podium in Madrid."