Mads Pedersen ready for Wout van Aert battle at the Giro d'Italia: "This for sure is one of the best versions I’ve had of myself"

Mads Pedersen returns to the Giro d’Italia tomorrow for the first time since 2023, bringing momentum from a strong spring and a clear ambition to win.

The Dane took a stage victory at the Giro in 2023 and has since continued to establish himself as one of the most consistent riders in the peloton. This spring, Pedersen impressed again with podium finishes at both Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, two of cycling’s toughest one-day races. Still, the elusive Monuments win continues to be a goal.

“I would say when I won the World Championships I still had a lot to improve on, I was still up and down with my form and not there every time like I am now, but in the last four years I’ve been up there and been a lot more steady,” he told Cycling Weekly.

At this year’s Vuelta, there are plenty of stages that could suit the unique profile of Pedersen. Wout van Aert could prove to be his main rival, and that seems to be one of the most intriguing narratives heading into the race. Judging by the form book this spring, Pedersen could have the upper hand.

Behind Pedersen’s performances is a team of trusted experts who take care of the finer details, from nutrition to equipment. Pedersen is delighted to leave those responsibilities to a specialist.

“I have zero problems giving other people responsibilities because I have zero interest in food and nutrition, absolutely nothing. I like food, but that’s as far as my interest goes,” he said. “I have zero interest in knowing how many carbs or whatever, so that’s why I need someone who knows this stuff to tell me what to do and they need to be the best."

“I’m not really a geek who’s looking into stuff, and I have a really good group around me. I believe my coach Mattias is the best; I believe Jeroen my mechanic is the best; and my nutritionist the same. These guys are also really pushing their limits, and looking into new stuff."

“It’s easier to give these jobs to someone else and they can tell you what to do. I think that’s important as an athlete that you’re able to do that."

“I think that takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders and allows me to focus on what I am good at, and they can focus on what they’re good at. Like this we create a good mixture of a bike rider.”

After a demanding classics campaign, Pedersen took a short break to reset ahead of the Giro.

“I went home to Monaco to spend time together with my wife, and training-wise I didn’t do anything too crazy because the shape was good from the Classics so it was a case of managing it well and not gaining weight,” Pedersen said. “It was actually quite an easy three weeks, enjoying a bit of time with my wife.”

“When I deliver it’s easier when I am off to pull the plug completely. ‘Now I’m off, see you guys in three weeks’. And I’m able to do that because I’m not that guy who's always looking into the small details."

“Other riders switch off, but they’re actually still on their computers looking into details, while I’m watching Sex and the City for the fifth time with my wife because she likes to watch it."

“That works for some riders and not for others, but it works for me that I can give away the responsibility with all the stuff I care about but I have no interest in knowing more about. That gives me more time to relax when I have to as I don’t have to think about it.”

Now, as the Giro d’Italia gets underway, Pedersen’s mission is clear.

“For myself the main goal is to have a stage victory, that’s why I am racing: to win as much as possible,” he said. “If we were to dream high, we would set two stages as the main goal, and then the points jersey would also be nice."

“I have it (the points jersey) from the Vuelta a España so it’d be nice to win it here as well, and to also keep up the good rhythm from Jonny (Milan) who won it for the team last year."

“I was pretty good in the Tour de France last year, as well as the Vuelta some years ago, but with this shape that I have, this for sure should be one of the best versions I’ve had of myself.”

Pedersen, his fans, and Lidl-Trek will be hoping he can continue his fine start to 2025 over the next 3 weeks. No, he did not manage to secure his first monument title this spring, and yes his team has prioritised Milan for the Tour de France. But, do not be surprised if Pedersen is the star of the show in Italy. He appears to be in the form of his life.