A spring without Mads Pedersen? Lidl-Trek hopeful for major classics comeback

How should Lidl-Trek approach the spring now that Mads Pedersen is badly injured? With that question, we visited the team at the Volta ao Algarve, knowing that the Danish leader is still recovering after a broken wrist and collarbone. However, there is no pessimism, as they still hope for a comeback from Pedersen in time for the big spring races.

For years, Toms Skujins has been one of Pedersen’s trusted teammates in the classics. The Latvian champion is an important figure within Lidl-Trek. How hard was the blow when he heard about Pedersen’s crash at the Tour de La Provence at the start of this season? "It’s a big loss for us,” he states clearly.

“Mads is truly our leader for the classics, that’s without question. Luckily, there is still time. It sucks that this happened, but ‘luckily’ he crashed early enough. Although falling is never really lucky... But there might still be room to return in time for the big ones,” says Skujins, who is especially looking forward to the classics block starting with the E3 Saxo Classic.

In that case, Pedersen still has a month until the E3 (March 27), and for the Tour of Flanders (April 5) and Paris-Roubaix (April 12), he has another one and a half to two weeks of recovery time.

'Mads is irreplaceable'
Team director Steven de Jongh does not want to jump to conclusions. Recovering from a broken wrist and then aiming to perform at top level within two months on the cobbles of Flanders and Roubaix is possibly the biggest challenge.

“Mads is irreplaceable, so this was a huge blow,” says the Dutch team director to Wielerflits. “But it’s far too early to say if this changes the chances or role of the other riders. We’ll see how Mads recovers and then decide what adjustments need to be made, but for now, we remain hopeful that Mads will be there in the spring.”

'I expect him to be there starting with the E3'
This is also how Skujins sees it. “I’m sure that if anyone can do it, it’s Mads,” he says with a smile and full confidence. “But at the same time, Lidl-Trek has a deep roster for the spring. Even in the races where he won’t be able to participate, we will definitely be able to ride a strong race.”

“It’s a bit late now to really adjust my preparation for the classics,” Skujins adds. “He wouldn’t have been there for the first classics anyway, like the Opening Weekend, so that doesn’t change much for me or the team. Looking at the major classics, I expect him to be there starting with the E3 Saxo Classic. That will be my ‘second part’ of the Belgian spring. He will be there, so it won’t change much.”

Jakob Söderqvist
One of the new riders in Lidl-Trek’s spring core is the talented Jakob Söderqvist. As an under-23, he was among the best time trialists and is seen as a future classics rider. “But I’m mostly a student right now, if you can call it that,” jokes the Swedish time trial champion.

“I’m going to take part in the classics to gain as much experience as possible. It will depend on how well that goes, how well I manage my positioning, and how I find my way in the peloton. Then I’ll know if I can have a freer role or if I’ll have to work hard early in the race. Otherwise, I can be an extra rider helping to create a numbers advantage in the finale.”

Expectations are high within Lidl-Trek for the time trial specialist. Alongside more well-known names like Pedersen, Skujins, Vacek, Søren Kragh Andersen, and the experienced Edward Theuns, Söderqvist could easily be underestimated. And don’t give him a 20-meter head start… “That’s up to the other riders,” he laughs. “I can only focus on myself and do my best.”