PREVIEW | Tour of Denmark 2023 - Mads Pedersen headlines luxury Danish startlist

Preview. One of the most prestigious non-World Tour races late in the year, the Tour of Denmark is a great preparation race for the final classics of the season and this year is directly after the World Championships. It takes place from the 15th to 19th of August.

The race starts off with an explosive day in Aalborg. 170 kilometers in distance, it could on paper be a day for the sprinters but there are definitely opportunities for other riders to be able to surprise. Everyday could see a decisive move for the overall classification and here there is a chance to anticipate the competition.

Stage two is the shortest out of the road stages but a tough one for sure. Denmark is known for it's flat plains however the riders find some hilly terrain into Silkeborg. The peloton faces a short final circuit which rides three times up a 1Km climb at 5.6%, a perfect launchpad for a victorious attack.

Stage 3 is a traditional Denmark day. The riders find the Velje circuit, a very difficult one where the GC has in the past been decided. That may happen again on this day, although it's not terribly hard it features two laps of a very punchy final circuit with multiple climbs and very steep gradients included. Additionally, the day is also 209 kilometers long which will weigh heavy in the legs of some.

Perhaps the one day which the sprinters can truly relax and fight between themselves for the victory. Although not pan-flat, the 178 kilometers from Kalundborg to Bagsvaerd are designed for the fast men. There will be a short three-lap circuit into the finish line which is slightly technical and will be a tricky challenge.

The race ends with a time-trial in Helsingør. The distance is meaningful, 16 kilometers is enough to see differences among the GC contenders. The time-trial is flat but in a race without mountains, a lot can change in the fight against the clock. 

*** Mads Pedersen
** Mattias Skjelmose, Soren Kragh Andersen, Soren Waerenskjold
* Magnus Cort Nielsen, Casper Pedersen, Martin Svrcek, Florian Vermeersch, James Shaw

Pick: Mads Pedersen