Mads Pedersen has his goal for 2025 marked in red: "13.04.2025"
Cycling
Some people live for the silver screen. Others dream of moving audiences with their voice. Some dedicate their lives to politics, while others set everything aside to become professional soccer players. Mads Pedersen, however, lives for Roubaix. In an Instagram post, he made this clear: "Everything I do is consumed by one purpose. 13.04.2025." The date of Paris-Roubaix is marked in red for the Danish former world champion.
The Lidl-Trek rider has already achieved a lot in his career. Although Roubaix seems almost tailor-made for the strong Dane, this Monument still leaves a gaping hole in his resume. At least, that’s how it must feel for Pedersen. He’s wasting no time: everything he does is aimed at that one goal — winning Paris-Roubaix. In 2025, everything else will have to take a back seat.
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Pedersen simply couldn't keep up with Van der Poel last year
His best performance in Roubaix so far was in the most recent edition. The now 28-year-old finished third at the Vélodrome, though he crossed the line three minutes behind the unstoppable Mathieu van der Poel. On that day, there was little anyone could do against the Dutchman. "In Flanders, my head was spinning so fast, that's how hard he went for it there. I tried to do better now in Paris-Roubaix, but Mathieu was once again impressive. I couldn't follow him, simple as that. How to beat him in a Monument? At the moment, I, or we, don't have the answers there. That's clear," Pedersen openly admitted in an interview with IDLProCycling.com.
He had an excuse though, after his hard crash in Gent-Wevelgem, two weeks prior. Perhaps that’s why Pedersen is speaking out so boldly now: he sees 2025 as a chance to perform even better. The organizers of Roubaix are certainly looking forward to it: "We’re waiting for you, Mads," responded the official Paris-Roubaix Instagram account under his post.
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024