Lidl-Trek had circled the first stage of the Giro d'Italia and Mads Pedersen did not disappoint in the finale, winning the stage and wearing the leader's jersey. The Danish champion had shown his excellent form this season and today in the first stage of the pink race he proved to be the strongest of all.

"We managed to make the race hard and when we set our minds to something, we always manage to hit our targets" – Pedersen said during the press conference –. "The first stage was our objective and we managed to take it".

The last kilometers were very nervous, particularly with the crash that involved several riders, including Landa, who was forced to withdraw. Lidl-Trek implemented a strategy aimed at putting Wout van Aert, the great favorite for today's victory, in difficulty, and their objective was fully achieved. "When there are strong riders like Van Aert in the race, you must always show a certain respect, and it's never easy when dealing with a champion of his caliber, so we decided to make the race hard to put him in difficulty".

A key man in today's finale was Giulio Ciccone, who set a frantic pace in the last kilometers, putting Visma - Lease a Bike in difficulty. "We really did an excellent job and even when Ciccone took the lead, he set a great pace. Congratulations go to the entire team that truly made an extraordinary stage".

Mads Pedersen is a rider accustomed to winning big races, but this is the first time he has worn the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia. "I can't realize how important this success is, there are many stages where it's possible to do well, and it's incredible to have seized the victory at the first opportunity. In the finale, I knew Van Aert could make a comeback, and that's why we wanted to put him in difficulty, and we did".

Tomorrow there will be a time trial with Van Aert again the favorite, and then in the third stage, the sprinters might be put in difficulty. "I hope to maintain the pink jersey in the coming days, even though it won't always be easy. I don't know if this victory is more beautiful than a Classic, I have no preferences, I like winning Classics and I like winning stages in grand tours".

In 2023, Pedersen had won the stage with start and finish in Naples, and considering the characteristics of this year's route, he could still win in the Parthenopean city, with Thursday's stage. "I remember watching the race on television many times and seeing Vincenzo Nibali racing and winning. Then I was also fortunate to race with him. Regarding the Naples stage, I haven't seen it. It's true that I've already won in Naples, but I admit I haven't seen the route of this year's stage".