Van Aert and Pedersen explain their underwhelming sprint competition at the Vuelta: 'It looks great on him'

Ahead of the Vuelta a España, many were expecting head-to-head battles between Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert, just as had been the case last year in the Giro d’Italia. In the first nine days, however, the battle never really materialised. The two discussed this in an entertaining interview with Anders Mielke of Eurosport after the rest day.

Mielke raised the point that the expected showdowns never materialised. “I’m simply not good enough, and he’s really strong right now. So there’s really no contest,” said Pedersen, who admitted on the rest day that he wasn’t quite fit, speaking realistically.

Van Aert certainly isn't writing off his rival just yet. "I think it's still a long way to the finish line in Granada; we'll see. We'll find out at the crucial moments."

"But well... I know what it's like to ride the Tour de France and compete for the green jersey there. When I won that green jersey, I was nowhere to be seen for months afterward; I was completely drained. So I have a lot of respect for the level Mads is showing here—his legs will definitely be back," said Van Aert.

Pedersen, for his part, hopes that Van Aert will be able to wear the green jersey until the end of the race. “Absolutely, it looks great on him. I hope he can keep it up this year and take the jersey home—he deserves it more than anyone.”

"I think he'll probably go to the Giro in the future to try to win all three...," predicts Pedersen, who himself completed the trilogy this year by winning the green jersey at the Tour. "I'd really love to welcome him to that club!"

The two are fast becoming a cycling double act, and will get another chance to go head to head on stage 10. Discover the stage preview here.