"When Pogi passed me I didn't even consider following him" - Mads Pedersen happy with podium result at Tour of Flanders

Mads Pedersen was one of the bravest rider of the day at the Tour of Flanders and took a well-deserved third place at the finish line. The Dane had already said that he had to stay ahead to get a good result and was one of the riders who stirred the move that almost took out the 'big three' from contention for the victory.

"I knew I had to stay ahead and be ahead when the big guys started their attacks, I did it very well today and I'm very happy with the podium," Pedersen said in a post-race interview. The Trek - Segafredo rider began attacking the race with over 110 kilometers to the finish, and joined a very strong group that went up the road with around 100 to go. He knew he couldn't directly defeat the likes of Pogacar, van Aert and van der Poel, but he had cards up his sleeve.

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Pedersen's group almost reached a two-minute advantage at a certain point, and the Dane - on a great day - even attacked himself before the Kruisberg, and led the race solo for several kilometers. He did not simply rely on his sprint, but on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont he was faced with Tadej Pogacar's attack. "Enjoy the race my friend, see you later," he thought at the time.  

"When Pogi passed me I didn't even consider following him, he's a guy who fights for the Tour de France, of course he's faster than me on the climbs. If I had tried to follow him I would have seen the group pass me later. You have to know your limits and I know mine," he explained. Pedersen also couldn't keep up with Mathieu van der Poel, and was caught by the casing group.

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Although he could not ride back into contention for victory the podium was available as the group would decide the third position. There he still had the best legs, beating Wout van Aert to take the last place on the podium.

Finally, he does not rule out winning and says he already has his mind set on Paris-Roubaix next Sunday: "It's very hard, but in the future when I'm at my best I hope to win, now I'm focused on Roubaix which will be my last classic of the season," he concluded.

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