"This is unacceptable and we therefore expect compensation" - Johan Price-Pejtersen fumes after finally being awarded Danish ITT title, 7 months after being unjustly DQ'd

Seven months after he first thought he had claimed the Danish national championship individual time trial title, Johan Price-Pejtersen has finally been awarded the jersey. Given the saga it took before their eventual U-turn, the 25-year-old of Alpecin-Deceuninck has been left furious at Danish Cycling Union and is now demanding changes be made.

"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," says Price-Pejtersen in a post on Instagram. "The 7 months have been mentally tough. For the Olympic spirit is the supporting pillar of a complicated and unconventional life as an athlete, and for that very reason it is all the more painful to witness its gradual erosion by the arrogance and indifference of the DCU."

For the last seven months, Lidl-Trek's Mattias Skjelmose has been wearing the Danish jersey in time trials, and according to Price-Pejtersen, this whole ordeal has been 'devastating for DCU's already shaky trust and integrity.' "Therefore, my lawyer and I will also expect serious internal consequences from DCU," he demands. "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."

"There is no doubt how big of a impact it has had on me as an athlete. Being in a contract year with a bit of a headwind, this result was like a fresh breeze blowing in my direction. However, only for a short while. The opportunities the Danish championship could have given me will never come again," the Dane concludes. "This is unacceptable and we therefore expect compensation from DCU."