“Clearly something isn’t working properly” - Mads Pedersen baffled as disappointing Vuelta a Espana continues on Stage 10
Cycling
Mads Pedersen’s difficult 2026 Vuelta a Espana continued on Stage 10 as the Lidl – Trek leader was dropped from the peloton around 30 kilometres from the finish and admitted afterwards that something is still not right.
The uphill run towards Elche de la Sierra had appeared to offer another opportunity for Pedersen, but the Dane was already out of contention before the late attacks began and eventually crossed the line 163rd.
“My legs were just about good enough to get dropped,” Pedersen told TV2 afterwards. “It was more one of those days where there simply wasn’t enough there to race the finale, so staying in and completely emptying myself when I knew I wasn’t going to be involved in the finish doesn’t make much sense right now.”
Pedersen therefore eased off rather than forcing himself deeper into the red once his chances of contesting the stage had disappeared.
Pedersen searches for answers after another missed chance
Stage 10 added another low-key result to a Vuelta which has so far produced only two finishes inside the top 10 for Pedersen. He was fourth on Stage 2 and came closest to victory with second place on Stage 8, but much of the opening ten days has been spent well outside the fight for stage honours.
That stands in stark contrast to Pedersen’s record across the Grand Tours. The former world champion has won 12 Grand Tour stages, including four at the Vuelta, alongside five at the Giro d’Italia and three at the Tour de France. He has also won four Grand Tour points classifications, most recently taking green at the 2026 Tour de France.
Pedersen did not attempt to pinpoint one explanation for his current level after Stage 10, but he was equally clear that what he is producing in Spain is below his normal standard.
“There is clearly still something that isn’t quite working properly,” he said. “Otherwise, even on a bad day, I would still be there in a finale like this. So yes, there is something that isn’t working at the moment, but we believe it will get better.”
Another opportunity awaits on Stage 11
On paper, Stage 11 again offers terrain which could bring Pedersen back into the equation, although any decision over whether he targets the victory is expected closer to the start.
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For now, Stage 10 leaves him still looking for the first win of a Vuelta in which his only podium has come from that second place on Stage 8.
Ten stages into the race, Pedersen remains without the kind of result that has become routine during a career spent winning across all three Grand Tours.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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