(World championship) flu hits Lidl-Trek: After Pedersen ends season, Ciccone’s big fall goal now in jeopardy

Pedersen was already not in top form after the Vuelta, but made the European Cycling Championships in France his goal. In the meantime, he was scheduled to compete in the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro in Germany on Friday, which is important for his sponsor, Lidl, but Pedersen did not even make it to the start.

On Wednesday, we already saw signs of a drop in form at the European Time Trial Championships. Pedersen had made that race his goal, but did not get further than fifteenth place. Two days later, the reason became clear.

“Unfortunately, after a long and successful racing season, Mads has been taken out of action by illness,” said Lidl-Trek. “He will therefore miss both Münsterland Giro and the European Championship this weekend and end his racing season. Get well soon, Mads!”

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Pedersen won the points jersey and stages in both the Giro and Vuelta this season, while also coming out on top in Gent-Wevelgem, Tour de la Provence, and the Tour of Denmark. In addition, he became Danish time trial champion, won a stage in Paris-Nice, and finished on the podium in both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

At the European Championships this Sunday, Denmark will be counting on Jonas Vingegaard and Mattias Skjelmose, who finished fourth at the World Championships in Rwanda last week.

There seems to be something going around at Lidl-Trek, or perhaps in the entire peloton. Because in addition to Pedersen, Giulio Ciccone has also fallen ill. With a sixth place at the World Championships, he was set to start his Italian autumn with confidence, but he will have to skip the Giro dell'Emilia - and the subsequent races - out of necessity, his team reports on X.

On Instagram, the Italian climber himself explains why. He too has fallen ill, although the cause seems to be different for him than for Pedersen. “Unfortunately I got sick after the World Championships and have now been off my bike for one week as I recover,” said Ciccone. “I wanted to give my all in the final races of the season in Italy but I am just not ready to be on the start line right now .”

The Giro dell'Emilia is therefore too early for him, but his big autumn goal remains a question mark. “No decision yet on Lombardia as I hope to be back in time to race one of my favourite races of the year.” Il Lombardia will be held on October 11, so Ciccone still has a week to go.