Pedersen moves into Green Jersey after another podium performance

Pedersen came close with another second place in Paris-Nice, taking the Green Jersey as a consolation

How it happened

Stage 5 of Paris Nice presented what’s likely to be the final bunch sprint of the race, so it was no surprise that the sprint teams joined forces to keep the day’s six-man breakaway in check. The last of the breakaway was caught 10 kilometers before the line before a few final skirmishes were launched, but eventually it came towards a bunch sprint in Sisteron. Lidl-Trek moved to the front with a strong leadout train, first with Jasper Stuyven, followed by last man Ryan Gibbons. Mads Pedersen launched a long sprint, but on such a fast run in Olav Kooij was able to benefit from the slipstream and jump around the Dane to take the win.

The second place was enough to move Pedersen to the top of the points classification, four points ahead of Laurence Pithie, meaning he will start tomorrow in the iconic Green Jersey.

Mads’ reaction

“There were riders everywhere, right-left. It was a bit of, not gamble, but a waiting game on the left side because we were sure it would at one point open up. We were really waiting waiting waiting close to the barrier and then it opened up and we had to take the moment. Jasper did really good to take us to the front and start the leadout, then afterwards Ryan. In the end I was just beaten by a faster guy; Kooij was good in the slipstream and came with a lot of speed in the end. There was not a lot I could do against him in the position he came from compared to where I was. It was nice to see the sprint train go that well today and we take good things from it.

“Now there are not really any sprint days left so we will see how it goes tomorrow. Tomorrow is a pretty tough race. We still didn’t get a victory here. We will try tomorrow and then we’ll see how important the Green Jersey will be in Nice.

“I think with the course tomorrow it’s a benefit if it’s proper shit weather and a lot of rain. I hope to see some cold and rain tomorrow and we will see. It’s a pretty tough climb in the end, steep for 2km. I’m not sure we can make it but we’ll try. With the shape I have, and especially the weather, it’s worth a try. With the coming weekend the GC guys might be looking more towards that than the stage tomorrow. We’ll take all the options we can, if it’s not for me tomorrow, then Skjelmose can do a good stage.”