The Best Bits of 2020

Join us for a visual ride through a tumultuous 2020

Open Season

2020 started in its usual fashion; a long haul flight to Australia to race at the Tour Down Under. With Tasmanian Richie Porte as one of the red-hot favorites, we were there to win. Recently-crowned World Champion Mads Pedersen stepped up as Richie’s bodyguard and super-domestique, a role in which he flourished throughout the year.

Our first win of the year came on Stage 3 when Porte powered to victory in Paracombe. The Tassie climber took the Ochre Jersey (that’s a shade of orange) as leader of the General Classification. A tactical battle emerged in the ensuing days between Trek-Segafredo and Mitchelton-Scott, who were trying to win the race again with Daryl Impey by taking advantage of intermediate sprint bonifications.

The Ochre Jersey went to and fro between Porte and Impey, and it all came down to the final stage on Willunga Hill. Porte rode away on the familiar climb as Impey cracked, leaving the Tasmanian to claim his second Tour Down Under overall victory. However, there was already an indication that 2020 was going to be a strange year when Porte was pipped for the stage win on Willunga by Matthew Holmes from the breakaway; a stage that Porte had won for the previous six years.

Our successful start to the season didn’t stop there, as Matteo Moschetti rocketed to two victories at the Mallorca Challenge, his first in Trek-Segafredo colors. Julien Bernard continued to bring the heat by winning the final stage of the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var, his first victory as a professional.

PARACOMBE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo / Kenny Elissonde of France and Team Trek-Segafredo / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek-Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Kiel Reijnen of of The United States and Team Trek-Segafredo / Peloton / Kangaroo Signal / Burn Forest / Australian Fires / Landscape / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 3 a 131km stage from Unley to Paracombe 416m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 23, 2020 in Paracombe, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

PARACOMBE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Jack Bauer of New Zealand and Team Mitchelton-SCOTT / Michael Hepburn of Australia and Team Mitchelton-SCOTT / Koen De Kort of Netherlands and Team Trek-Segafredo / Kiel Reijnen of of The United States and Team Trek-Segafredo / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek-Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Reflection / Water / Landscape / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 3 a 131km stage from Unley to Paracombe 416m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 23, 2020 in Paracombe, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

WILLUNGA HILL, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Podium / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo Orange Leader Jersey / Celebration / Fans / Public / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 6 a 151,5km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill 374m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 26, 2020 in Willunga Hill, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

WILLUNGA HILL, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo / Matthew Holmes of Great Britain and Team Lotto-Soudal / Willunga Hill (374m)/ Fans / Public / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 6 a 151,5km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill 374m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 26, 2020 in Willunga Hill, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

PARACOMBE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Arrival / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo / Celebration / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 3 a 131km stage from Unley to Paracombe 416m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 23, 2020 in Paracombe, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

WILLUNGA HILL, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Arrival / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo / Celebration / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 6 a 151,5km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill 374m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 26, 2020 in Willunga Hill, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

WILLUNGA HILL, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 26: Podium / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek-Segafredo Orange Leader Jersey / Celebration / Trophy / during the 22nd Santos Tour Down Under 2020, Stage 6 a 151,5km stage from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill 374m / TDU / @tourdownunder / #UCIWT / on January 26, 2020 in Willunga Hill, Australia. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

- Aktion/Rennszene - Querformat - quer - horizontal - Event/Veranstaltung: 29. Mallorca Challenge - Trofeo Playa de Palma nach/to Palma 168.9 km - Ort/Location: Palma - Region: Mallorca - Baleares - Land/Country: Spanien/Spain - Datum/Date: 02.02.2020

Tour Cycliste International du Var et des Alpes Maritimes 2020 - 52nd Edition - 3rd stage La Londe - Le Mont Faron 136 km - 23/02/2020 - Julien Bernard (FRA - Trek - Segafredo) - photo Regis Garnier/BettiniPhoto©2020

Opening Weekend

The Classics Opening Weekend at the end of February signals for many fans the ‘real’ start to the European racing season. And it’s not just the fans that look forward to these one-day races – for the riders and staff, the Classics are special.

After a less than ideal Classics campaign in 2019, leaders Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen were determined to show their best selves in their favorite races. Stuyven emerged as the victor of Omloop het Nieuwsblad, showing that last year was just a blip. The final selection was made on the iconic Muur van Geraardsbergen when Stuyven pushed the pace and only Yves Lampaert and Søren Kragh Andersen survived. It came down to a two-up sprint between Stuyven and Lampaert, with our Belgian leaping to the win on February 29th.

NINOVE, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 29: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 75th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020, Men Race a 200km race from Ghent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / #OHN20 /on February 29, 2020 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

NINOVE, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 29: Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Yves Lampaert of Belgium and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Wall of Geraardsbergen / De Muur / Fans / Public / Cobblestones / during the 75th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020, Men Race a 200km race from Ghent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / #OHN20 /on February 29, 2020 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

NINOVE, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 29: Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Yves Lampaert of Belgium and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Soren Kragh Andersen of Denmark and Team Sunweb / Breakaway / during the 75th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020, Men Race a 200km race from Ghent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / #OHN20 /on February 29, 2020 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

NINOVE, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 29: Arrival / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Celebration / Yves Lampaert of Belgium and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / during the 75th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020, Men Race a 200km race from Ghent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / #OHN20 /on February 29, 2020 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

NINOVE, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 29: Podium / Yves Lampaert of Belgium and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Sõren Kragh Andersen of Denmark and Team Sunweb / Celebration / Trophy / during the 75th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2020, Men Race a 200km race from Ghent to Ninove / @OmloopHNB / #OHN20 /on February 29, 2020 in Ninove, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

The World Turned Upside Down

We marched on to Paris-Nice, but already there was a sinking feeling that the incoming coronavirus wave was going to wash away the cycling season. The Race to the Sun reached Nice, barely. After that, the world ground to a halt, and races were either canceled or postponed. In many countries, professional riders were not even allowed to train outside. Lockdown became the word of the year as our Saris home trainers became our new best friends.

Eventually, we could ride outside again, and what a joyful experience it was! With smiles on our faces and the winds blowing on our freshly shaved legs, we were back on the bike.

Mads' Rainbow shines bright

Our World Champion took his first win of the year at Stage 2 of the Tour de Pologne, the first rescheduled WorldTour race held since the season resumed. The phrase ‘curse of the rainbow jersey’ normally refers to a world champion struggling to perform after picking up the pressure of the rainbow bands. This year, however, the phrase was more often used in reference to the pity that Pedersen was not able to don the jersey much due to race cancellations.

Fortunately, the Dane had taken the disappointment in his stride. As he said, he only has to look down to see the rainbow bands around his sleeves, and that’s for life. Those who paid attention this season had seen Mads riding selflessly in service of his teammates, despite being champion of the world. We think he’s done the jersey proud and was certainly overdue a chance to shine.

Pedersen’s bunch sprint win was not entirely expected, but after an incredible lead-out, he sprinted on determination and pure power to cross the line first. The win also netted him the yellow leader’s jersey for a day.

ZABRZE, POLAND - AUGUST 06: Sprint / Arrival / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Pascal Ackermann of Germany and Team Bora - Hansgrohe / Davide Ballerini of Italy and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Albert Torres Barceló of Spain and Movistar Team / Alberto Dainese of Italy and Team Sunweb / Rudy Barbier of France and Team Israel Start-Up Nation / Szymon Sajnok of Poland and CCC Team / during the 77th Tour of Poland 2020, Stage 2 a 151,5km stage from Opole to Zabrze / @Tour_de_Pologne / #tdp20 / on August 06, 2020 in Zabrze, Poland. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

ZABRZE, POLAND - AUGUST 06: Arrival / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo World Champion Jersey Celebration / during the 77th Tour of Poland 2020, Stage 2 a 151,5km stage from Opole to Zabrze / @Tour_de_Pologne / #tdp20 / on August 06, 2020 in Zabrze, Poland. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

ZABRZE, POLAND - AUGUST 06: Podium / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Yellow Leader Jersey / Celebration / during the 77th Tour of Poland 2020, Stage 2 a 151,5km stage from Opole to Zabrze / @Tour_de_Pologne / #tdp20 / on August 06, 2020 in Zabrze, Poland. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

Into the bubble, into Le Tour

After months of planning, preparing, and praying we had reached the Grand Départ of Le Tour de France, in Nice. By this point, the professional cycling world had become accustomed to having a cotton swab rudely stuck up one’s nose – a necessity to racing safely in these times. We approached the Tour with a strong team built around Richie Porte and Bauke Mollema, our two leaders for the General Classification. The team was a mixture of experience and youth: both leaders were riding their tenth Tours, while Pedersen, Eg, and Elissonde were riding the Big One for the first time.

Stage 1 was a chaotic affair in Nice as rain arrived for the first time in weeks. There were crashes aplenty but on the whole, we got through without major issue. At the finish – a bunch gallop – Mads Pedersen appeared through the mist to take a tight second place. Not a bad debut, and it earned him the White Jersey as best young rider.

Toms Skujiņš celebrated his last day as Latvian national champion (the 2020 championship was raced during the Tour) in a thrilling breakaway which saw him take second in Loudenvielle. Then, two days later he crashed and put some holes in the regular Trek-Segafredo jersey. We think he wanted the Latvian jersey back.

For our leaders, the first week of the Tour had highs and lows, but after nine stages both Richie and Bauke emerged in 11th and 13th place. Not great, but the Tour is long.

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 27: Statue of Apollo at the Fountain of the Sun on Massena square / Mask / Covid safety measures / Detail view / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Team Presentation in Place Massena on Nice / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on August 27, 2020 in Nice, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images,)

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 27: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Toms Skujins of Latvia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Bauke Mollema of The Netherlands and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Team Presentation in Place Massena on Nice / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on August 27, 2020 in Nice, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 27: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Mask / Covid safety measures / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Team Presentation in Place Massena on Nice / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on August 27, 2020 in Nice, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 29: Arrival / Giacomo Nizzolo of Italy and NTT Pro Cycling Team / Alexander Kristoff of Norway and UAE Team Emirates / Celebration / Cees Bol of The Netherlands and Team Sunweb / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Peter Sagan of Slovakia and Team Bora - Hansgrohe / Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Elia Viviani of Italy and Team Cofidis Solutions Credits / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 1 a 156km stage from Nice Moyen Pays to Nice / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on August 29, 2020 in Nice, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images,)

NICE, FRANCE - AUGUST 30: Start / Alexander Kristoff of Norway and UAE Team Emirates Yellow Leader Jersey / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo White Best Young Jersey / Peter Sagan of Slovakia and Team Bora - Hansgrohe Green Points Jersey / Fabien Grellier of France and Team Total Direct Energie Polka Dot Mountain Jersey / Mask / Covid safety measures / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 2 a 186km stage from Nice Haut Pays to Nice / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on August 30, 2020 in Nice, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

LOUDENVIELLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 05: Toms Skujins of Latvia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Quentin Pacher of France and Team B&B Hotels - Vital Concept / Breakaway / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 8 a 141km stage from Cazères-Sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 05, 2020 in Loudenvielle, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

LOUDENVIELLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 05: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Mikel Landa Meana of Spain and Team Bahrain - Mclaren / Fans / Public / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 8 a 141km stage from Cazères-Sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 05, 2020 in Loudenvielle, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LOUDENVIELLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 05: Kenny Elissonde of France and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 8 a 141km stage from Cazères-Sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 05, 2020 in Loudenvielle, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

LOUDENVIELLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 05: Arrival / Toms Skujins of Latvia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Carlos Verona Quintanilla of Spain and Movistar Team / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 8 a 141km stage from Cazères-Sur-Garonne to Loudenvielle / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 05, 2020 in Loudenvielle, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

SARRAN CORRÈZE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 10: Toms Skujins of Latvia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Peter Sagan of Slovakia and Team Bora - Hansgrohe / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 12 a 218km stage from Chauvigny to Sarran Corrèze 658m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 10, 2020 in Sarran Corrèze, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LARUNS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 06: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Rigoberto Uran of Colombia and Team EF Pro Cycling / Public / Fans / Breakaway / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 9 a 153km stage from Pau to Laruns 495m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 06, 2020 in Laruns, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

The Tour Continues

The Tour rumbled on – at this time we were hopeful but never sure if we would reach Paris. Unfortunately, on Stage 13 we lost Bauke Mollema to a broken wrist from a crash. But this proved a turning point for Porte, who emerged as one of the strongest climbers in the race. Porte solidified this status on Stage 15 atop the Grand Colombier, finishing third behind Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, a preview of the eventual podium in Paris.

The Tasmanian rode solidly and consistently through the brutal final week, slowly climbing the General Classification. After 17 stages of racing, Porte sat one spot shy of the podium, on track to record his best-ever Tour performance. Of course, there was drama still to come.

Porte’s history at the Tour is a saga that most cycling fans are familiar with: the Tasmanian having either ridden in service of others, struck by illness, or caught in crashes. Whatever the reason, Richie had never had a perfect shot at cycling’s biggest prize. When he punctured in a gravel section at the top of a monster climb on Stage 18, Porte fans felt a doomed sense of déjà vu. We all held our breath with pulses racing and fists clenched. A furious chase ensued. And against all odds, Porte closed a 45-second deficit and made it back to the leaders.

Jasper Stuyven took his chance the next day, joining a late breakaway of elite classics specialists who duked it out for the stage win. Stuyven sprinted to third place for the third time in his career. We’re certain a stage win is coming.

The main story of the Tour was reaching its crescendo. Just a time trial to La Planche des Belles Filles stood between the peloton and Paris. Porte rode the time trial of his life. He overhauled a 1 minute and 39-second deficit to move onto the podium. Perhaps Richie’s performance was overshadowed by the Roglič/Pogačar drama, but on the Trek-Segafredo bus, and certainly in Australia, there was jubilation.

On 20th September the peloton floated over the cobbles of the Champs-Elyssées, defying the doubters who never expected the Tour to reach Paris. Pedersen bookended his debut Tour with another second place in the unofficial ‘sprinters’ World Champs’. Richie Porte fulfilled a lifelong dream of finishing on the podium of the Tour de France and got a trophy and treasured photo for the mantelpiece to boot.

CANTAL, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 11: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 13 a 191,5km stage from Châtel-Guyon to Pas de Peyrol-Le Puy Mary Cantal 1589m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 11, 2020 in Cantal, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

CANTAL, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 11: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno of Colombia and Astana Pro Team / Public / Fans / Pas de Peyrol-Le Puy Mary Cantal (1589m) / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 13 a 191,5km stage from Châtel-Guyon to Pas de Peyrol-Le Puy Mary Cantal 1589m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 11, 2020 in Cantal, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

GRAND COLOMBIER, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 13: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates White Best Young Rider Jersey /during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 15 a 174,5km stage from Lyon to Grand Colombier 1501m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 13, 2020 in Grand Colombier, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

VILLARD-DE-LANS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 15: Arrival / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Toms Skujins of Latvia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 16 a 164km stage from La Tour-Du-Pin to Villard-De-Lans 1152m - Auberge de la Côte 2000 / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 15, 2020 in Villard-De-Lans, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images,)

VILLARD-DE-LANS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 15: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 16 a 164km stage from La Tour-Du-Pin to Villard-De-Lans 1152m - Auberge de la Côte 2000 / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 15, 2020 in Villard-De-Lans, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

MERIBEL, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 16: Polka Dot Mountain Jersey Bike / Col de la Loze (2304m)/ during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 17 a 170km stage from Grenoble to Méribel - Col de la Loze 2304m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 16, 2020 in Méribel, France. (Photo by Benoit Tessier - Pool/Getty Images)

MERIBEL, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 16: Arrival / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 17 a 170km stage from Grenoble to Méribel - Col de la Loze 2304m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 16, 2020 in Méribel, France. (Photo by Christophe Petit-Tesson - Pool/Getty Images)

MERIBEL, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 16: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Sepp Kuss of The United States and Team Jumbo - Visma / Col de la Loze (2304m) / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 17 a 170km stage from Grenoble to Méribel - Col de la Loze 2304m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 16, 2020 in Méribel, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LA ROCHE-SUR-FORON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 17: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Dust / Gravel / Montée du plateau des Glières (1390m) / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 18 a 175km stage from Méribel to La Roche sur Foron 543m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 17, 2020 in La Roche-sur-Foron, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

LA ROCHE-SUR-FORON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 17: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Montée du plateau des Glières (1390m) / Public / Fans / Mountains / Dust / Gravel / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 18 a 175km stage from Méribel to La Roche sur Foron 543m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 17, 2020 in La Roche-sur-Foron, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

LA ROCHE-SUR-FORON, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 17: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Montée du plateau des Glières (1390m) / Gravel Strokes / Fans / Public / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 18 a 175km stage from Méribel to La Roche sur Foron 543m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 17, 2020 in La Roche-sur-Foron, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

CHAMPAGNOLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 18: Arrival / Luka Mezgec of Slovenia and Team Mitchelton - Scott / Jasper Stuyven of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium and CCC Team / Oliver Naesen of Belgium and Team Ag2R La Mondiale / Nikias Arndt of Germany and Team Sunweb / during 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 19 a 166,5km stage from Bourg en Bresse to Champagnole 547m / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 18, 2020 in Champagnole, France. (Photo by Marco Bertorello - Pool/Getty Images)

LA PLANCHE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 19: Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 20 a 36,2km Individual Time Trial stage from Lure to La Planche Des Belles Filles 1035m / ITT / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 19, 2020 in La Planche, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images,)

LA PLANCHE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 19: Arrival / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 20 a 36,2km Individual Time Trial stage from Lure to La Planche Des Belles Filles 1035m / ITT / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 19, 2020 in La Planche, France. (Photo by Marco Bertorello - Pool/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 20: Edward Theuns of Belgium and Team Trek - Segafredo / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 21 a 122km stage from Mantes-La-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 20: Winner Andrew Anacona of Colombia and Team Arkea - Samsic / Wouter Poels of The Netherlands and Team Bahrain - Mclaren / Simon Geschke of Germany and CCC Team / Arc De Triomphe / Paris City / Landscape / Peloton / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 21 a 122km stage from Mantes-La-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 20: Sprint / Arrival / Alexander Kristoff of Norway and UAE Team Emirates / Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step Green Points Jersey / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo World Champion Jersey / Peter Sagan of Slovakia and Team Bora - Hansgrohe / Elia Viviani of Italy and Team Cofidis Solutions Credits / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 21 a 122km stage from Mantes-La-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christophe Petit Tesson - Pool/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 20: Podium / Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo - Visma with his son Levom / Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates Yellow Leader Jersey / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Celebration / Trophy / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 21 a 122km stage from Mantes-La-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 20: Podium / Primoz Roglic of Slovenia and Team Jumbo - Visma / Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates Yellow Leader Jersey / Richie Porte of Australia and Team Trek - Segafredo / Celebration / Trophy / during the 107th Tour de France 2020, Stage 21 a 122km stage from Mantes-La-Jolie to Paris Champs-Élysées / #TDF2020 / @LeTour / on September 20, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Fall Classics

2020, the year in which up was down, left was right and the spring Classics were raced in fall. But before we get to the Classics, we need to talk about Mads Pedersen’s performance at the BinckBank Tour.

Second in Stage one, first in the next, clearly the Dane was benefitting from ‘Tour legs’. Mads went into an important time trial with the leader’s jersey and came out the other side still on top. All that stood in the way of victory was a Classics stage around Geraardsbergen, and MVDP (Mathieu van der Poel).

MVDP blew the race apart with an early attack, and despite a valiant effort, Mads didn’t have the legs to bring it back. The Dutchman went on to win the stage and overall with one of the rides of the year.

Redemption came just a week later when Pedersen took his first big Classics victory at Gent-Wevelgem. While Mads and the team around him had no doubt about his ability and potential, some critics had branded his 2019 World Championships victory a one-off. Winning a top-rated Classic in the way he did, silenced these critics and hopefully opened more eyes to see the 24-year-old for what he is.

Mads was on the good side of every decisive split. He saved energy where he could and burnt matches when necessary. It came down to a do-or-die decision to bridge across to a leading trio, one and a half kilometers from the line. If he didn’t make it, the race was over. But if he did, he knew he had a chance to win the sprint and add a big victory to his palmarès.

Celebrations were in full flow when Mads got back to the team bus.

Cheers to 2020!

Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo Red Points Jersey / Celebration / Jasper Philipsen of Belgium and UAE Team Emirates Green Leader Jersey / Danny Van Poppel of The Netherlands and Team Circus - Wanty Gobert / during the 16th BinckBank Tour 2020 - Stage 3 a 157km stage from Aalter to Aalter / @BinckBankTour / #BinckBankTour / on October 01, 2020 in Aalter, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Start / Peloton / Menin Gate / Flanders Fields Museum / Ypres City / Landscape / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Jumbo - Visma / Breakaway / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team / Cobblestones / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Florian Senechal of France and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / John Degenkolb of Germany and Team Lotto Soudal / Wout Van Aert of Belgium and Team Jumbo - Visma / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Arrival / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Celebration / Florian Senechal of France and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)

WEVELGEM, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 11: Podium / Florian Senechal of France and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step / Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Trek - Segafredo / Matteo Trentin of Italy and CCC Team / Celebration / Trophy / Flowers / Mask / Covid safety measures / during the 82nd Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields 2020, Men Elite a 232,5km race from Ypres to Wevelgem / @GentWevelgem / @FlandersClassic / on October 11, 2020 in Wevelgem, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)