"Not in any way appropriate... Johan uses language not in anyone's interest" - Danish cycling hit back after criticism over handling of 7 month long national ITT controversy

Earlier this week, Johan Price-Pejtersen was finally awarded the Danish national time trial title, seven months after being disqualified from the initial race against the clock and the jersey being handed to Mattias Skjelmose. With this decision though, the fires of controversy have been spoked.

Firstly, after the confirmation of his title win, Price-Pejtersen launched a furious tirade against his nation's cycling organisation. "On June 21st, I won the Danish Time Trial Championship by crossing the line first, followed by an unjust disqualification. Today, January 28th, 2025, that decision has been overturned. 7 months later! 7 months where I have not been able to wear the Dannebrog have been robbed of some of the most precious time a cyclist can have," the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider said in a post on Instagram. "My lawyer and I will also expect serious internal consequences from DCU. No one can benefit from such incompetence from both DCU and the commissioners in question, if the integrity of the sport is to be protected."

Curiously, Lidl-Trek's Skjelmose was not actually told of the face he longer held the national title. "I only know about the new decision through the media, but regardless, I have not at any time been involved in the case processing after the Danish Championship race, and I will not do so now," said Skjelmose in quotes collected by Danish media. "I am currently fully focused on the season that starts shortly, and have no further comments on the decision."

Amidst this storm of criticism and controversy, the Danish Cycling Union has now fired back. "We fully understand Johan Price-Pejtersen's disappointment with the course of events. It is an unfortunate case in every way," says Jens-Erik Majlund, acting director of the DCU in a press release. "We do not find that taking the dialogue through the press and social media is in any way appropriate for either the case or Johan. In addition, Johan uses language that is not in anyone's interest."

"The Danish commissioners are all volunteers who go to the Danish cycling races weekend after weekend. They don't deserve to be publicly displayed like that," Majlund continues. "As mentioned, we take note of the ruling and now ask that everyone, including Johan, consider the case closed, and we therefore have no further comments on the case."