BREAKING: Mads Pedersen returns to racing at Milano-Sanremo - Dane replaces Jonathan Milan in Lidl-Trek leadership

Milano-Sanremo is getting an unexpected headliner this Saturday: Mads Pedersen. In a surprise choice, the Dane is going to return to racing ahead of schedule, as he replaces Jonathan Milan in the Lidl-Trek camp in a highly anticipated return.

“Honestly, the plan was not to race Sanremo, but we have done some really good training and we wanted to see specific numbers to be able to have a chance to make a good result in this race as well," Pedersen said in a press release. "After a few hard trainings this week, we believe that it is a good decision to race again, pin the numbers on, and get comfortable in a race again".

Milan fell ill and had to forfeit from the Italian monument, although his chances of success were not high even in his best form. The team had options to replace him but ultimately, it would very much be left without a leader for the Italian race. The proposition to add Pedersen, who fractured a wrist and a collarbone month and a half was ago, was considered. It is now going to be a reality.

"Of course, the doctors and my coach also had a say in how and when I could make it back. Dr Jens did a lot of examinations with me and my hand and he is 100 percent confident that I am able to race again already — so it’s pretty nice to be back already. It’s really nice to be able to be at this point and start here in Italy. It’s a good starting point ahead of the Belgian Classics too.”

His priority will remain the cobbled classics, however Sanremo will provide an early test of form. It is a dangerous race, which may be risky taking into consideration his recent injuries, but simultaneously it will provide a realistic replica of what he is ambitioning to face later this spring - with the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix being his main goals.

It is a decision that the team has green lit, despite it never being the plan. Dr. Jens Hinder, team doctor, has shared his point of view on the matter: “Mads’ recovery has progressed as well as we could have hoped — if not better. With fractures, the central challenge is always timing: mobilize too early and you risk the repair, but immobilize the joint for four weeks and you then face a further two to three weeks rebuilding range of motion".

After month and a half of work, he is ready to return to racing for the German team this weekend, as an outsider for a top result. "We took a carefully managed approach, introducing gentle wrist loading early — beginning on the rollers in Mallorca, then progressing to a gravel bike with adapted handlebars — always within strict parameters to ensure there was no risk to the fracture site. Mads’ attitude throughout made a real difference; his positive mindset was a genuine factor in both the healing and rehabilitation process. All medical checks confirm he is ready to race.”