"I f*cking hate it. No, I won't do it, even if my coach says so" - Mads Pedersen calls altitude training his 'worst experience ever'

Mads Pedersen must be considered one of the most consistently impressive riders in the peloton today. Always competitive whether it be in the Classics, in the Grand Tour sprints or at the Championships.

With his Lidl-Trek team looking to develop further as the new sponsors bring a bigger budget, some big-name signings and higher expectations, an altitude training camp is planned to eke out every single measure of development possible from their riders. One man who won't be taking part however, is the Danish superstar, Mads Pedersen, someone who it's fair to say, is no fan of high altitude.

"I fucking hate it. No, I won't do it, even if my coach says so. What if I can gain two or three percent with that? I don't give a fuck," says the six-time Grand Tour stage winner in conversation with In de Leiderstrui. "I tried it once, somewhere in France, and that was the worst experience ever," he clarifies.

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What went so badly wrong in France that Pedersen has been scarred for life? "I don't want to sit on top of a mountain for three weeks and not see my family. And then racing, which means you won't see them for another four weeks. That's two months in total, I'm too much of a family man to sacrifice that," the 28-year-old responds. "Taking the family to heights is not an option. You work twelve-hour days there, that's not for them. It's better to be at home, where they have a life. I prefer to complete my training camps in Mallorca, in the sun, but not on top of a mountain."