Mads Pedersen "quite happy" with opening time-trial effort and limited losses

Mads Pedersen was one of the riders with the most anticipation for this time-trial, having for multiple times stated how much he had trained and prepared for the opening day, with the dream of wearing the yellow jersey in Denmark.

"I prepared in the best possible way, I've never done so many specific training sessions," he told reporters after his effort. Pedersen finished the day in sixth place, 15 seconds down on Yves Lampaert. Perhaps a gap too big to close in two days, but the yellow jersey is a possibility. "I am quite happy, I am only 1.8 seconds behind Van der Poel. It's a shame it's only two seconds, but in the end I'm satisfied. To have this atmosphere in Denmark, with all the people, that is an experience I will not soon forget," the Dane detailed.

An early starter, he had to deal with wet and treacherous roads. “In a time trial like this, with the rain and in a big city like this, you have to take risks," he admited. Unlike some of his rivals he managed to stay upright, making it to the finish with a strong time that had him in contention for the win. "

Of course it was a different time trial than we expected. We have to push more between the corners and go less quickly through the corners themselves. You have to balance risk and keep it safe," he added.

"Tomorrow [stage two] I will screw up my sprint legs and we hope for the best," the 26-year old concluded. Pedersen is still racing in his home country and although the yellow jersey seems too far away to reach in the opening days, up until stage five he has very real chances of going for yellow but it will be a difficult task.