Mads Pedersen has put on very strong performances over 2023 and has proven himself as a strong climber. The
Etoile de Bessèges lacks big ascents where the
Lidl-Trek rider may suffer seriously, and rival Kévin Vauquelin is unsure if they will be able to drop the Dane at any point in the race.
The Arkéa - B&B Hotels rider rode to a strong place in the GP La Marseillaise and carried great form into Bessèges. He was third in the first stage into Rousson. On stage 3 with some longer ascents, the Frenchman looked to put Pedersen under pressure and attempted to attack in the final kilometer in order to take over the race lead and his first win of the year.
