"This is the best version of Mads Pedersen we’ve ever seen” - Danish praise for the Lidl-Trek leader after Paris-Roubaix podium

Mads Pedersen has made no secret about the fact that Paris-Roubaix is the race he wants to win more than any other. Despite a monumental effort last weekend, the Dane was forced to settle for 3rd spot on the podium at the 2025 edition of the Hell of the North, following a notably badly timed mechanical.

More than just this latest performance of his power however, Pedersen has been drawing plenty of praise for his overall form throughout the Spring so far. “He hasn’t put a foot wrong in the Classics. Now he’s finished third in Roubaix two years in a row. That’s no coincidence. This is the best version of Mads Pedersen we’ve ever seen,” Danish ex-pro Brian Holm reflected positively to Feltet.dk. “When you’re fighting for the win at Paris-Roubaix three years in a row, you’re among the best in history. He’s in a league of his own.”

As mentioned, the key flashpoint of the race for Pedersen, came when he punctured right as Tadej Pogacar attempted an attack. Prior to that point, the Lidl-Trek leader had looked every part the equal of the world champion and the eventual race winner Mathieu van der Poel, but his race-winning hopes were over in the cruellest of fashions.

“He couldn’t have ridden a better race. I’m just as impressed as if he had won. I can’t believe how many times he was able to launch attacks while chasing. He raced smartly and has clearly learned from past mistakes — he no longer wastes energy needlessly,” Holm says of Pedersen's showing. “Physically, I think he could match Van der Poel. I don’t think Van der Poel could have dropped Mads on strength alone. He’s better technically, sure — he could have opened a gap in the cobbled corners — but I truly believe Pedersen was strong enough to win."