Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek made history with a dominant victory at Gent-Wevelgem, becoming the second consecutive men’s winner in over 30 years. This remarkable win also secured his place as the seventh member of the prestigious Club Trois, a group of cyclists who have achieved this feat.
Pedersen, leading the race from 60 kilometers to go, proved unbeatable as he crossed the finish line with ease, marking his 50th career professional win. This victory came as a redemption for the Danish rider after illness had hindered his performance at Milano San Remo earlier this season. Pedersen finished comfortably ahead of the chasing peloton, with Tim Merlier (Soudal–Quick-Step) and his Lidl-Trek teammate Jonathan Milan rounding out the podium.
“It is crazy; I never expected to be able to do something like this,” Pedersen reflected after the race. “I’ve never been better than I am now, and my recent performances confirm this. I was still fighting with just 1km left, and I know how fast the race is in the final 5km, so I never felt safe.”
Race Overview
The 250.3km Gent-Wevelgem race, a key Belgian Classic, saw a star-studded field despite the absence of some key riders. The race kicked off in Ypres, with sprinters and fan favorites lined up for the challenge.
The first significant break occurred after 219 kilometers, when nine riders, including Rui Oliveira (UAE Emirates), Max Walker (EF Education–EasyPost), and Jasha Sutterlin (Jayco–AlUla), gained a three-minute lead over the peloton. The fast start saw 45 kilometers covered in the first hour of the race.
As the race entered its second hour, the peloton was split into four groups due to windy conditions, with 32 riders in the first echelon. Among them were four Lidl-Trek and five Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe riders. Pedersen made his first move in response to the conditions, launching an attack that saw him joined by Huge Page (Intermarché-Wanty), Stefan Bissegger (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale), and Clément Russo (Groupama-FDJ). However, their efforts were quickly neutralized on the first cobbled section of the race, Beauvoordestraat.
By the 114km mark, the nine-man break was caught as the peloton’s pace intensified, but they still held a lead of over a minute, which was quickly shrinking. A pivotal moment came 105 kilometers from the finish, when the break’s advantage was down to just 23 seconds, with a chase group 38 seconds behind them.
Tensions heightened with 100 kilometers to go, when a crash involving Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Bert Van Lerberghe (Soudal Quick-Step) caused a temporary advantage for the breakaway group. On the first of three Kemmelberg ascents, the front of the peloton surged ahead, creating a split. Among the riders to break free were Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty), Florian Vermeersch (UAE Emirates), and Pedersen’s teammate Toms Skujins.
Pedersen’s decisive attack came on the gravel sections of the Plugstreets, where he was joined briefly by Jasper Philipsen and Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike). However, both riders were unable to keep pace, with Philipsen suffering a puncture and Kooij crashing out of the race.
With the front group whittling down, Pedersen moved into the lead on the Kemmelberg and soon built a 30-second advantage over a chasing trio of riders. He extended his lead further, creating a gap of 1 minute 30 seconds over the peloton. With 25 kilometers to go, the chase group was reeled in, leaving Pedersen alone at the front of the race.
Despite the peloton’s best efforts, Pedersen maintained his lead, which was only reduced by 10 seconds as he entered the final 10 kilometers. With victory within reach, Pedersen continued to press on, securing his 50th career win in commanding fashion.
Merlier won the sprint for second place, while Milan completed the Lidl-Trek dominance with third, giving the team two spots on the podium. Pedersen’s victory marked a historic moment in the sport, further cementing his place among cycling’s elite.
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