Interesting press conference from Pedersen after Gent-Wevelgem: "It's not like I'm thinking, oh, I miss Mathieu"

First, let's briefly summarize Pedersen's 2025 Gent-Wevelgem. In De Moeren, the Dane was already constantly alert in the echelons, and then, on the first passage of the Kemmelberg, he was the first to shake things up. He then continued on the plug streets, where he could easily shake off Olav Kooij (fall) and Jasper Philipsen (flat).

Pedersen and Arjen Livyns of Lotto thus accelerated to the early breakaway, leaving everyone behind as they approached Kemmel for the second time. He then added the 53-kilometer solo to the finish in Wevelgem, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in his own team and the peloton. "This has to be one of the most painful ways to win a race," laughed teammate Toms Skujins.

Mads, congratulations. Is this your most impressive victory?
"I think the World Championships (2019, ed.) were even more impressive. If I compare it to my victory last year in Gent-Wevelgem, I think it was a little more special. In a sprint, I beat Mathieu van der Poel, one of the stars of cycling. Not only now but throughout history. Those photos from last year, with him in his world champion's jersey, were wonderful, mainly because we have been racing each other since we were children."

"That doesn't mean my victory this year isn't special to me. It's the third time I've won here, but it's still a classic. Other riders have spent their careers trying to finish in the top ten in a race like this, but I've already won it three times."

Did you miss Mathieu this year?
(sighs) "It is what it is. I'm not sitting on my bike thinking: Oh, I miss Mathieu. We are still in a race that we want to win. So I wouldn't say that I missed him."

What went through your mind when you went solo so early?
"I have no idea, man. Last year, Jonny (Milan, ed.) opened the final, and we were in a comfortable position because other teams had to work. Now I saw the chance to go. I hoped someone like Laurence Pithie, who rode a very active race, would join me on the plug streets. But I ended up in the leading group and decided to go full-throttle up the Kemmelberg. If it didn't work out, I could still help my teammates in the background. It could have been a stupid move, but it would still be okay for the team. In the end, I'm just thrilled that I made it."

Did you realize that Kooij and Philipsen were in trouble?
"Philipsen must have been riding on my wheel when it happened because I heard him shout: "F*ck!" It's a shame it happened that way, but that's sport. I also heard that someone had crashed, but I didn't know it was Kooij. The car was far away then, so the communication wasn't good. I certainly hope he's okay."

"I didn't want to take them with me because they are difficult to beat in a sprint. I hesitated momentarily about waiting after the Kemmelberg, but it worked. If it hadn't worked, you would have said it was stupid. That's how it goes."

You ride with special equipment. How did that help you?
"You mean the groupset? We work with very good equipment in this team. I am a big fan of a single front chainring because it minimizes the chance of a malfunction. That is why it works perfectly for me. I ride a 56x10, but it is not like I always have that gear on. You have to ride at almost 70 kilometers per hour for that."

From a physical point of view, is this one of your best performances?
"I can't say yet because I still need to check my performance levels. But a fifty-kilometer solo is always special. I know I can handle races of more than two hundred kilometers, which helps. And the tailwind certainly helped. If there had been a headwind, I wouldn't have been able to do it."

"This race suits me very well. There is some climbing, but not too much. And in the parts with wind, I can make good progress with a strong team around me. That also helps. Did I have to adjust my diet? No, you eat as much as you can. I know I can eat 140 grams of carbohydrates per hour, starting from zero kilometer. If you can build up to that, you'll get there. I just don't count the gels anymore because there are enough of them."

What does this say about the upcoming races?
"I now have confirmation that the form is there. The important thing now is to maintain that form and not crash on Wednesday, so fingers crossed. The Tour of Flanders is an entirely different race, and I'm not going to claim I will win there because I know you can't just ride there and make it into the top ten. I will do my best, and the team is ready, but first, we want to score in Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday."

You have now achieved a solo victory similar to that of Pogacar in Strade Bianche and Van der Poel in E3. What is it with you guys?
"That's a good question. If you can win solo, the final is easier in a way. For Tadej, this is especially true because he is so strong that he can almost always ride away. Then you don't have to worry about five other guys in the final. But don't expect me to do this often; this was my first time. The last time I won solo was a while ago."

After the classics, you head to the Giro instead of the Tour. Has that changed anything in your build-up?
"No, not at all. I'm taking it one step at a time. After the classics, I'll focus on the Giro and turn my attention to the Danish championships. Then I'll have a well-deserved vacation with my wife in the summer, which I'm also looking forward to. After that, I prepare for the Vuelta."

"It's okay that I'm not riding the Tour. We are a big team at Lidl-Trek now, with many good riders. With this course, including many flat stages, we have someone who can handle it very well in Jonathan Milan. His selection is a no-brainer. Having us both at the helm would make no sense. Letting me do the Giro and the Tour makes much more sense, and I hope Jonny wins a lot."

Some people suggested you were angry and wanted to prove it by performing well in the classics.
"Oh man, I don't care. The team pays my salary, so they decide what I do. The same goes for you, right? You wouldn't have been here in Wevelgem if you weren't paid. I'm completely okay with Jonny going to the Tour. He deserves it after winning the points jersey twice in the Giro. It's his time. And it's not like I'll never ride the Tour again because I'll be back."