Mads Pedersen’s disrupted Spring continues as Lidl-Trek leader is ruled out of In Flanders Fields through illness

Mads Pedersen’s stop-start Spring has suffered another setback, with the Lidl-Trek leader confirming he will not take the start at In Flanders Fields after falling ill in the days following E3 Saxo Classic.

The Dane had already been navigating a disrupted return to racing after his early-season crash, and his latest absence now further complicates what had been shaping into a promising Classics campaign.

Speaking in a video message shared on Instagram, Pedersen revealed that illness, rather than any lingering injury concerns, was behind the decision to withdraw. “I’ve got some sad news regarding tomorrow’s race at In Flanders Fields. I won’t be starting due to illness,” he said.

He explained that the issue had been building in recent days and had already impacted his performance at E3. “I’ve been dealing with a cold over the last few days, and it also affected me during E3 yesterday. After speaking with the team and the medical staff, the decision has been made for me to skip the race and focus on the coming week.”

That decision halts what had been an encouraging return to racing. Despite limited preparation following multiple fractures earlier in the year, Pedersen had already shown he could compete at the front, underlining his condition with a strong ride at Milano-Sanremo.

In that context, In Flanders Fields represented one of the most favourable opportunities of the Spring for the former world champion. The race’s combination of crosswinds, cobbled sectors and a reduced sprint finish has long suited Pedersen’s profile, with the Dane a proven performer on this terrain.

Instead, Lidl-Trek will now be without their leader in a race where positioning, team depth and experience often prove decisive.

Crucially, Pedersen was clear that his withdrawal is not linked to his earlier injuries. “This has nothing to do with my wrist. The recovery is going well, and it’s actually better than we expected,” he said, offering reassurance after concerns following his crash earlier in the season.

He acknowledged some expected discomfort as he continues to rebuild strength, but dismissed any suggestion of a setback. “The muscles around the wrist and in my arm are still sore, which is normal after four or five weeks without proper movement, but there are no concerns there.”

With that, the decision becomes a preventative one, aimed at preserving his condition for the remainder of the Classics block rather than risking further disruption through illness. “I wish my teammates the best of luck tomorrow, and hopefully Johnny can take the win with number one on his back,” Pedersen added, throwing his support behind Lidl-Trek’s options in his absence.

For Pedersen, attention now turns quickly to the races ahead, where he will look to reset and salvage momentum in a Spring that continues to throw obstacles in his path.