What we saw Vingegaard do in Japan, we will absolutely not see Pedersen do: "Absolutely the last thing I want"

It is common after the Tour de France for a lot of great riders to show themselves in an after-Tour criterium. We see the phenomenon in a lot of countries, the outcome of which seems to be determined in advance. Mads Pedersen is strongly against the idea and to explain that, the Lidl-Trek Dane did not mince his words.

A lot of important riders report after the Tour de France in a so-called post-Tour criterium. For this, the riders reportedly receive a hefty starting bonus. Who should be the winner seems to be decided in advance, and this sometimes produces unusual scenes. For example, this summer Ben Healy celebrated a lap too early, but ended up winning after all.

Later in the year, we also see some other Criteriums. Last week, for example, the Saitama Criterium was scheduled in Japan. In it, we saw Jonas Vingegaard fall, be helped back on his way by UAE and still win in the end. It was remarkable footage, to say the least.

Who we don't see in such a criterium is Pedersen. The Dane is principally against the idea, and he clearly explains why. "It's a done deal. It is so terrible to see, because none of the riders even try to make it look like they are racing on a bike," Feltet managed to write.

Of course, the sporting aspect is completely missing in a similar contest, when the winner is already determined in advance. Nor does Pedersen like what comes around it. "It is more important that they wear some kind of bicycle helmet with a top hat and a flap on it, in a sumo wrestler suit. That is what they are paid for," the Dane is referring to the criterium in Japan.

A criterium in Denmark was precisely what Pedersen wanted to ride this year in preparation for the Vuelta, but there was no question of an agreed winner there. In contrary, the Dane was given agreements by his team. "The team had told me that if I couldn't ride solo to the finish or win in a small group, I should let myself drop out in the sprint, because we can't risk anything towards the Vuelta," he explained at the time.

Danish former cyclist Brian Holm emphasized the sporting value, or lack thereof. "It's a race organized to make cycling more popular in Japan. I think they put quite a bit of money into it," were his words to Ekstra Bladet.

Yet Pedersen wants nothing to do with that. After all, it's not that the Danish superstar has never been asked. "I have turned down a few times. You should never say never, but it's absolutely the last thing I want," he sounded adamant. Thus, the chances seem pretty slim that we will ever see Pedersen riding in such a criterium.