Former world champion Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) outmuscled the present rainbow-jersey-wearer, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), to take his second profession victory at Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday.
The duo broke free collectively over the ultimate climb with 35km to go, organising a two-up dash on the line. Pedersen launched his sprint first, and held off Van der Poel, who bowed over his handlebars within the closing metres, defeated.Â
The win marked the Dane’s seventh already this 12 months, in what has been a roaring begin to the season.
“I needed to consider that my dash was adequate to beat Mathieu,” Pedersen mentioned in Wevelgem. “With the form he has proven recently, it was laborious to consider, however I needed to attempt the dash and nothing else.Â
“It was a big gamble. I took the entrance as a result of I knew he can be blissful, nicely, [Alpecin-]Deceuninck can be blissful if the bunch got here again with [Jasper] Philipsen as nicely. I needed to maintain the velocity excessive and hope I nonetheless had the legs for a very good dash.”Â
Pedersen led the cost over the ultimate ascent of the Kemmelberg, Gent-Wevelgem’s totem climb, towing the world champion away with him. “Both it was going to be me or Mathieu placing on the stress there,” he mentioned. “If I may management the tempo, and never put myself over the restrict, it could be extra helpful for me than letting him do it and perhaps put me above the restrict.”
The duo then swapped by way of turns to the end line, holding off the peloton, who stripped their benefit from over a minute to simply 16 seconds in the long run.Â
“This confirms to me that the form is certainly good,” mentioned Pedersen, looking forward to subsequent Sunday’s Tour of Flanders. “I am positively assured for the subsequent week.” Â
The way it occurred
(Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
After rolling out from beneath the Menin Gate in Ypres, an eight-rider breakaway fashioned that lasted solely to the halfway level, earlier than the primary of steep hellingen ascents.
In whole, the lads would sort out 9 climbs, together with three assaults on the Kemmelberg, whose summit at 154m marks the best level in West Flanders.Â
On the primary ascent of the Kemmelberg, with 85km to go, Van der Poel regarded to check his rivals. The world champion, who gained the E3 Saxo Traditional on Friday with a 43km solo, accelerated away from the primary pack. His transfer was adopted by 21-year-old Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ) and Lidl-Trek trio Pedersen, Jasper Stuyven and Jonathan Milan, the latter attacking alone over the three gravel plugstreets.Â
Milan’s foray lasted round 20km earlier than Van der Poel, Pithie and Pedersen joined him. The Lidl-Trek rider then zipped clear once more on the second Kemmelberg take a look at, winding up the tempo for his Danish team-mate, earlier than dropping again to the peloton.
Pedersen led over the third and last ascent of the Kemmelberg, tackled from the more durable west aspect, with pitches at 20%. There, having brushed shoulders with world champions previous and current, Pithie misplaced Van der Poel’s wheel, leaving the duo to jostle for the victory. Honours, in a easy drag race, went to Pedersen.Â
Outcomes
Gent-Wevelgem 2024: Ypres > Wevelgem (253.1km)
1. Mads Pedersen (Den) Lidl-Trek, in 5:36:00
2. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Deceuninck, at similar time
3. Jordi Meeus (Bel) Bora-Hansgrohe, +16
4. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Deceuninck
5. Jonathan Milan (Ita) Lidl-Trek
6. Olav Kooij (Ned) Visma-Lease a Bike
7. Biniam Girmay (Eri) Intermarché-Wanty
8. Tim Merlier (Bel) Soudal Fast-Step
9. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) Jayco AlUla
10. Matteo Trentin (Ita) Tudor Professional Biking, all at similar time
