The opening stage of the Tour of Valencia did not seem to have the route for it, but we still saw a very interesting finale. When the suit exploded, however, there was also a fall, although that was out of the picture. We now know that Mads Pedersen was there. The Dane from Lidl-Trek had to give up and suffered serious injuries.
“Nobody wants to see Pedersen start his 2026 season this way,” Lidl-Trek initially said via X know. ‘A crash just before the crucial point of stage 1 of the Tour of Valencia forced Mads to abandon the race. We’ll provide another update as soon as we know more!’ The team also announced that the Dane has been taken to hospital for further examination.
Via Instagram Bauke Mollema, who retired as a professional after this year, responded to the crash. ‘One of those days that I won’t miss when I stop. A fresh and nervous peloton and then a big crash at high speed, just before the last climb, with Pedersen there. Good recovery, boys’, were the words of the Dutchman.
There were even more expressions of support for the Dane from Lidl-Trek. ‘Terrible to see Pedersen drop out. Good recovery, Mads’ left Steven de Jongh up Instagram know. On the same medium, Tao Geoghegan Hart had similar words in store: “Terrible for you, Mads. Get well soon, boss.”
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Pedersen breaks wrist and collarbone
Later in the evening the final verdict came from Lidl-Trek. ‘Mads suffered a fracture to his left wrist and right collarbone in the crash on the first day of the Tour of Valencia and will undergo surgery on Thursday.’
In any case, that is a big blow for the leader of the German team. ‘The team’s first priority is to ensure Mads receives the best possible care and the immediate focus will be on a successful recovery to minimize disruption to his season goals.’
“We will announce his return to competition in due course and will only share further updates as necessary,” the team concluded. Pedersen himself also made himself heard. “Not the best start to the year, but I will be back,” he assured.
Pedersen had his sights set on Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix and would also ride the Tour de la Provence, Paris-Nice, Dwars door Vlaanderen, E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem as per the original schedule.
The Dane was not the only one with problems. Tobias Foss (INEOS Grenadiers) also fell and did not finish. The Norwegian appeared to have broken his shoulder blade and has now been allowed to leave the hospital, his team said.
