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Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) unleashed a monster sprint and accurately kept a load van aert (Visma-lease a bicycle) for the scene victory and the first pink jersey of the Giro of Italia.
Pedersen’s victory on Friday came from the rear of a huge Lidl-Trek force demonstration. The United States-based team has skipped the peloton’s legs in the hilly final to drop pure sprinters and install a gallop reduced to the line.
The rhythm also amazed a handful of GC hope.
Derek Gee (Israel Premier Tech) and Thymen Arensman (ineos grenadiers) both suffered early defeats after being abandoned on the final rise of the Albanian Albanian Grande Partenza.
Favorite gee of Canadian fans lost 57 seconds, Arensman Hermorrhage 1:35.
It was even worse for Mikel Landa (Soudal quick step). The Basque suffered a high -speed crash just 5 km from the line and was taken to an ambulance.
The best favorites of the GC Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Juan Ayuso (Emirates-XRG water) both finished in the front group and heading to step 2 TT at the same time.
Pedersen in pink jersey and first big tour
Pedersen entered Friday Grande Partenza As a hot favorite for the scene, and he and Lidl-Trek have duly delivered.
“Winning the scene and going to the pink jersey is absolutely incredible,” said Pedersen on arrival. “Especially after teamwork like this. It is really incredible that the team works as hard, and I can reimburse with a victory.”
Friday for a special day for Pedersen, who won his first jersey of the Grand Tour chief.
“It was the exact plan today. To push very hard on the climb, making it a smaller group, then a sprint at the end,” he said.
Pedersen beat Van Aert with a length in the final sprint in Tirana. The Dane, which sprays the classics, first opened its acceleration, and Van Aert could not follow.
A huge 2nd Wout sprint
Van Aert ends the finalist of Mads Pedersen on Giro of Italia Stage 1 with this sprint…
⏱️ Time: 16 ″
AVG speed: 63.4 km / h
Key speeds: 66.3 km / h
AVG Power: 1110W
⚡️ Power Max: 1340WBike sprint
_____
#Giroditalia pic.twitter.com/akkoxi4tww– Velon CC (@veloncc) May 9, 2025
The result was a surprise for Van Aert, who suffered from illness before the Italia Giro and was almost abandoned on the final climb.
“I didn’t feel really good, in fact. But there is only one or perhaps some opportunities to take this pink jersey, so that’s why I really wanted to try it,” said Van Aert on arrival.
“During the last ascent, I suffered so much to hang on. It’s a shame to finish in second place, but it’s better than expected.”
Giro results from Italia Stage 1:
Lidl-Trek unleashes a Master-Laureate plan on the scene
Lidl-Trek did a mission on Friday to make the race as difficult as possible for Pedersen.
The crew of colored blocks assaulted at the front and fixed a wild rhythm on the two rehearsals of the sur-surré climb which overshadowed the final. For Pedersen, more rhythm meant less “pure” sprinters to fear in a possible group sprint.
Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease Vélo), Sam Bennett (Decathlon Ag2r-La Mondiale), and Paul Magnie (Soudal fast step) were all abandoned on the first ascent of the 7 km grinder, 4.4%.
Lidl-Trek stood up for the second climb, and it was an amazing show to see the climbers of GC Arensman then Gee Pop under pressure.
Van Aert struggled to hang on to the Lidl-Trek train and only remained in the reduced group before it came across the final 11 km to the finish line.
There was a disaster for Landa downhill.
The Basque was part of a handful of runners who crashed into the rapid descent and were aware, but who were not up to his bike. He was taken to a stretcher. His quick team has not yet provided a full update.
❤️ we will try to provide news on Mikel as soon as possible.
He left the race and we wish him the best of recovery. #Giroditalia https://t.co/mrywrqlk3y pic.twitter.com/ebekko8dvw
– Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) May 9, 2025
Next: Tirana Time Trial for Tarling and specialists
The Giro remains in Albania on Saturday for a time trial belonging to a 14 km city center which should be perfect for aerodynamic purists with large engine.
Josh Tarling (ineos grenadiers) is preferred, but do not count Van Aert, the American power Brandon McNulty (Emirates-XRG water), and even GC Bigs Roglič and Ayuso.
Can Pedersen stay pink? Big Dane has an equally large engine, but it could have trouble.
