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2024 Criterium Dauphine Stage 1 | Highlights

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The Critérium du Dauphiné kicked off with a bang as Danish powerhouse Mads Pedersen clinched the opening stage, securing the first yellow jersey of the race in Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Pedersen, backed by a meticulously executed lead-out from his Lidl-Trek teammates, demonstrated his sprinting prowess and strategic brilliance.

From the start, Lidl-Trek’s strategy was crystal clear: go all-in for Pedersen. The team controlled the race from the get-go, with Carlos Verona managing the peloton’s pace once a manageable two-rider breakaway was established. Verona, with support from Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale, kept the breakaway in check, ensuring the race came back together with 15 kilometers remaining.

As the race approached its climax, the pace intensified, with the peloton reaching speeds nearing 100 km/h. Toms Skujins led the charge with 2 kilometers to go, paving the way for Alex Kirsch and Ryan Gibbons to pilot Pedersen to the finish. Gibbons expertly guided Pedersen through the final corner, allowing the Danish star to unleash his powerful sprint with 200 meters to go.

Pedersen’s flawless execution saw him fend off his competitors, crossing the line with a triumphant punch in the air. Reflecting on the win, Pedersen praised his teammates’ efforts, highlighting the near-perfect execution of their plan.

“You can’t complain when you win,” Pedersen remarked. “Carlos did a superb job pulling, and Alex controlled the lead-out to perfection. Toms and Ryan delivered me perfectly today. Every win gives me more confidence. The objective was to win a stage, and we’ve achieved that. Now it’s about maintaining our form and supporting our GC contender, Tao, in the coming stages.”

Looking ahead, Pedersen acknowledged the challenges of the upcoming stages but remained optimistic about his team’s prospects. “Tomorrow’s stage will be tough, and we’ll focus on controlling the race to respect the jersey. It’s always nice to wear yellow. I’ve tried at Paris-Nice, now here, and the next goal should be the Tour.”

With this victory, Pedersen not only showcased his sprinting dominance but also set a positive tone for Lidl-Trek’s campaign at the Critérium du Dauphiné.

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