Giro 2017: Mads Pedersen, our #youngdude update

At the end of a thrilling weekend of racing, heading into the third and final rest day, VeloVoices checked on the progress of one of the youngest riders in the race, Trek-Segafredo’s 21-year-old Mads Pedersen. A prodigiously talented first year neo-pro, the young Dane won his first professional race last year on Tour of Norway’s stage three, where he also picked up the KOM jersey. We spoke to him at the start of the Giro in Sardinia and have just caught up with him to see how his second week went!

I had anticipated that Mads might be feeling a bit fatigued at the end of the second week, but if he was, he didn’t show it. Instead he bounced out of the Trek-Segafredo bus to talk to me with a beaming smile on his face – a consummate professional.

Sheree: It’s the end of the second week of the Giro, how’s it been?

Mads: Good. Warm. Nice.

Sheree: You said at the start you were here to help your teammates and we’ve seen you working hard for them.

Mads: Yeah, you know that’s my job. I have to do it and I enjoy it. Every day we’re doing a good job. We’re having fun on the bike. I’m happy so far.

Sheree: At VeloVoices we’ve been impressed with your work-rate. Did you know you were our Rider of Race on stage six?

Mads: I didn’t know that. It’s nice to hear [smiles more widely].

Sheree: We don’t bestow such honours lightly. It’s a very prestigious award and it comes with a prize – cake.

Mads: We can’t keep eating cake! [They demolished some of my brownies yesterday.]

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It’s obvious the team hold Mads in high regard. Team leader Bauke Molema paid tribute to him after Sunday’s punishing stage 15, saying:

It was perfect today. I think as a team we did a really good job. Before the first climb already with Mads (Pedersen) and Jasper (Stuyven) who brought all the climbers in a good position at the front…

The team refer to Mads and Jasper as “the team’s two biggest engines”, which is, of course, quite a compliment. We wish Mads well for the final week and are sure he’ll reach Milan, an amazing achievement for someone of his tender years. Be sure to keep a look out for him in forthcoming races, he’s special.