Magnificent Mads Pedersen continues electric start to 2024 with sprint win on stage 1 of the Tour de la Provence

Mads Pedersen has continued his electric form in the early part of 2024, backing up his prologue win with victory in the sprint on stage 1 of the Tour de la Provence.

Although a bunch sprint had been widely expected pre-stage, the fact three of the day's breakaway, Alexis Gougeard, Thomas Bonnet & Kévin Avoine remained around 50 seconds clear with 15km to go, made it far from certain heading into the finale.

Sadly for fans of the breakaway however, the peloton successfully made the catch with around 5km to go. In a frantic final sprint for the line, it was Mads Pedersen who doubled up after his prologue victory yesterday to take another victory. Axel Zingle and Samuel Watson initially completing the podium before the photo finish demoted the Groupama - FDJ man to 4th behind Riley Pickrell.