Mads Pedersen wins explosive opening stage of Baloise Belgium Tour

Trek - Segafredo have taken the win on the opening day, as Mads Pederen showed his strong form by winning the hard uphill finale of the opening stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour and has became the first leader of the race.

The day saw a hilly finale into Maarkendal at the end of 169 kilometers, but the splits were made mostly in the end as the final hilltop saw the group reduced heavily. No-one managed to go up the road though, with a compact group heading into the final meters in for a small sprint. 

Quick-Step led out the sprint, with Jasper Philipsen launching the sprint early, however a bad strategy as he faded towards the end and on the slight uphill rise to the line Mads Pedersen powered into a dominant win, beating Tim Wellens and Philipsen at the line.