Mads Triple, Mathias Vacek & 4 Jours de Dunkerque stage 1

 

"I wasn't sure at all if I had won. It was incredibly hard in the last 20km. I suffered a lot. This was a really tough one. Over the top of the last climb I was a bit behind. I was still in the group fighting for the win. But I had a very hard time there. I used a lot of energy to move back onto Vacek's wheel. Luckily I had enough for the last sprint. Three wins in five stages and winning with the Maglia Rosa is insane. It's way more than I have ever dreamt of."

-Mads Pedersen wins stage 5.

Inches away

Mathias Vacek: Star in making

Mads Pedersen can probably owe part of his success, winning three stages (so far) and holding the Maglia Rosa to the emerging 22-year-old Czech, Mathias Vacek. With Vacek as a key figure in the leadout of Pedersen, the Czech knows what he has to do in the finals to best support his team leader.

"Pedersen is a real leader, and the biggest things I've learned from him are how to handle situations, how to handle a team, how to be as calm as possible, and focus full gas on the performance and races. With Lidl-Trek I'm really supported and have what I want. I think we're really on the right track for the future, which is something I'm looking forward to. I'm feeling good, so probably I will also have a chance in the next few days to go for a stage.

I will give it all in the TTs, which I'm aiming for, so that's where I want to take at least a second place like in the Vuelta last year. It will be hard to win, but I will truly. A stage win, of course, would be phenomenal."

-Mathias Vacek currently leads in the Maglia Bianca classification.

"I tell you guys I will do absolutely everything possible to make him have a stage win in this race, because he deserves it as well. He's a machine, and I'm so proud of being able to have this type of guy riding with me because he makes a big difference."

-Mads Pedersen