"Mads said there was no way he will be dropped here" - Lidl-Trek's bet on Mads Pedersen fully pays off with a pink jersey

Lidl-Trek did a phenomenal job during the first stage of Giro d'Italia, shaking off all pure sprinters to create a perfect scenario for their fast man Mads Pedersen. After a massive leadout from Mathias Vacek, finishing off the job was just a formality for the Dane, says Lidl-Trek DS Maxime Monfort.

"The guys did more than we asked for," according to the Belgian sports director, who spoke to In de Leiderstrui after the stage. "Our tactics were more focused on the last lap and second time Surrel, but we didn't expect the team to be so strong. We had to control the race, but not like this. The first passage we were able to make a selection and gave a good impression, so that nobody tried anything at the back. That was better than our best plan."

"It was perfect," Monfort repeats. "To be honest, I thought it was too early. On the other hand, I also knew that Giulio Ciccone, who is in very good shape, was ready to help. That he would work was an option."

Where Visma | Lease a Bike said that the climb was harder than they originally thought, that didn't apply to the German-American formation. "We had a completely different idea of ​​it, that it was actually easier. That didn't come from me, but from Mads. He said: 'No way that I will be dropped here.'"

On Saturday, a 13.7-kilometre time trial through the streets of Tirana is on the programme. Can Pedersen - himself a more than decent timetrialist - hold off all the top riders against the clock, who arrived at the same time today? "Mads is indeed very strong in the time trial. Not a specialist, but if you see how many riders have finished far."

Maybe there'll be a different rider of Lidl-Trek wearing pink after Saturday, Monfort points out to a possible surprise: "It is possible to keep the jersey, but watch out: we also have Mathias Vacek. He is a specialist and he was very good with us. It is also a possibility that he will wear the pink jersey, but there are others who have their sights set on that goal."