Danish ex-riders criticize Pedersen’s choice: "His agent should’ve pushed for a transfer"

Third place was the best Pedersen could achieve in the Hell of the North, but according to former professional Brian Holm, he could have done better if his team had supported him. "Why can't Lidl-Trek just give the leadership to Mads? They say they had three leaders in Paris-Roubaix. I find that quite bizarre," he said in the Café Eddy podcast.

The current coach of the Danish team, Michael Morkov, also does not understand why the former world champion is not the only leader of the team. "It is a mystery to me, too. With the performances Mads is currently delivering and the way he rides, he should be the team's sole leader. However, it seems as if the management of Lidl-Trek is too kind and wants to do everything by the book."

Furthermore, Pedersen has not been on the Tour de France roster for the first time since 2018, which Holm says is why he should make a move. "If I were his agent, I would have said, 'Mads, it's time to move to another team.' Mads should be riding in the Tour, and I don't know the exact reason, but I'm sure he won't be happy."

Yet Pedersen himself is satisfied with his team after his third place in Paris-Roubaix, as can be read on his Instagram page. "First, thanks to everyone at Lidl-Trek, from the riders to everyone helping us doing what we love. Without your belief and support we aren’t going anywhere. This year wasn’t meant to be regarding winning my first monument, but it doesn’t hold me back from dreaming and doing it all over again for another try."  

The Dane himself explained before the race why his team did not name him as their undisputed leader. "With Jasper Stuyven and Jonathan Milan, we have other great riders in the team. This allows us to put some pressure on the other teams. So much can happen in Paris-Roubaix. It would be crazy to name just one rider as our leader." Stuyven crashed early in the race and finished 95th, with Milan finishing six places behind his Belgian teammate.

Somewhat surprisingly, Lidl-Trek sports director Gregory Rast named Pedersen the top favorite for Roubaix after his performance in the Tour of Flanders. There, he beat Van der Poel in the battle for second place. "We are, really, really optimistic. Everyone said last week that we should race for third place. I think we've seen that Mathieu is only human."