Mads Pedersen explains why Remco Evenepoel was the cause of his absence from World Championships - "I have zero regrets"

Mads Pedersen had as astonishing second half of the 2022 season, and he was a surprise absence from a World Championships course that suited him very well. The Dane has explained the decision to miss Wollongong, which was partly due to Remco Evenepoel's presence.

"I knew that Evenepoel would ride us all together in Australia. I have zero regrets about that decision," Pedersen told Het Nieuwsblad. "After one week in the Vuelta I had already predicted this outcome to everyone. And then I don't go to Australia for ten days to finish second in the best scenario."

The Belgian rider won the Vuelta a Espana, and then carried his form to the Worlds where he dominated the Elite road race, taking a win with over two minutes of advantage, as the surviving sprinters battled for the remaining medals.

Such results came as little surprise for Pedersen who won the points classification at the Vuelta and three stages: “He was super impressive in the Vuelta. And that's the way he rides, right? Just attack from afar, where he also has Wout van Aert at a World Champion.”

“Not that he got a free ticket, far from it, but if the rest look a bit at Van Aert, the way is even more open for him. I watched on TV. Only to support Denmark," he concluded.