2023 Paris-Nice Stage Two | Highlights

Race Report

“I was not totally sure until it was announced so I am pretty happy that it was enough to win.”

Mads Pedersen sprinted to victory on Stage 2 of Paris-Nice after a superb team performance all day and a perfect lead-out towards the line from Alex Kirsch.

The finish was close. So close in fact that initially even Pedersen wasn’t totally sure he had secured the win in Fontainebleau. However, once the news came through over race radio the Danish rider was able to celebrate his second victory of 2023 with his teammates before heading onto the podium.

Pedersen not onto stepped onto the podium as winner of the stage but also as the new race leader. He will head into tomorrow’s team time trial with the yellow jersey on his back while also leading the Points Classification.

“It’s nice to start the season well and Paris-Nice is a really nice race so, of course, it’s good to get a win here. It’s also good confirmation ahead of Sanremo that I did the right training and my sprint didn’t disappear over the off season. It’s nice to have a win and it shows some good signs ahead of the Classics and especially the sprints,” said Mads Pedersen. “The first two days of Paris-Nice have not been typical [of the race] because normally you have crosswinds on a day like this and it would only be 20 guys at the finish. It’s a pity there wasn’t more crosswinds and then it would have been less hectic at the finish.

“Kooij came f**king fast in the end so it was tight at the end, really close in fact and I wasn’t sure I held on for the win and you don’t want to celebrate anything before you know it’s right. Kooij and some other guys came to congratulate me but it’s better to wait because you look like an idiot if you start to celebrate and then you are second.”

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