"We have to be disappointed... This is not what we came for" - Mads Pedersen unable to challenge in Paris Olympic road race

Mads Pedersen came into the road race of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games full of optimism and expectations, with many expecting the Dane to challenge for the medals. Sadly though, that's not quite how things panned out for the 28-year-old last weekend.

"I think we rode very well until we got to Paris, but then it became chaotic," the former world champion reflects on the race in conversation with TV2. "A bike change for Mattias Skjelmose and a flat tire for me didn't make it any easier. After that, the race broke open while we were behind. From that moment on, we were putting out fires, which was not optimal."

In the end, it was a 20th placed finish for Pedersen as Remco Evenepoel, Valentin Madouas and Christophe Laporte secured themselves the gold, silver and bronze respectively. "We have to be disappointed with this result at the Olympics," admits Pedersen. "This was not what we came for, and we regret that, also for the federation and all the people who supported us. We always do our best, but this time it was not enough for a top result."

"The timing of my bike change was just really bad," Pedersen's teammate with both the Danish national team and his trade team, Lidl-Trek, Mattias Skjelmose adds in his own reflection. "It was right before the hill where I was supposed to perform my task. Now Mads had to waste his energy there."

For Pedersen, attentions now turn to upcoming races such as the Tour de Pologne and the Deutschland Tour. Skjelmose meanwhile has the clear goal of a general classification challenge at the upcoming Vuelta a Espana.