Mads Pedersen sprints to second place and officially wins the points jersey in La Vuelta
It’s been a good run. Still, Mads Pedersen wanted one more. Winning is the name of the game after all, and when you’re this hot you don’t stop until the final white line is crossed.
In the end it was close, but Team UAE catapulted Juan Sebastián Molano to the Stage 21 win and handed the Danish Dynamite his fourth second place instead of a fourth win.
“Again today my team did really, really good work, “praised Mads. “We had a really good position in the last corner, and we hoped the bunch would kind of stop and go so we could come from a bit behind, but UAE played it really perfect.
“They managed to have almost the whole team in the last corner, they did like a pro cycling manager’s sprint, so huge congrats to them. In the end, I just didn’t have the legs to pass them. We played a perfect finale, but Molano was just faster than me and that’s how it is.”
When Mads crossed the finish line in Madrid, winning the green jersey was finally certified. Mads took over the lead in the points competition in Stage 8 and never looked back, amassing an incredible 409 points by the end.
“I am just super super happy for this Vuelta. To have the green jersey here and three wins, it’s really special. I am really thankful to the whole team, fighting, and I think we showed that a team with different types of riders can survive for sprints, what I am good at. All our climbers were digging so deep every day to perform in the sprints, and that shows that if everyone has the commitment, and the teamwork is there, we can fight for wins no matter terrain.”
The final race in Madrid is always a festive occasion, three grueling weeks of racing coming to an electrifying end in the center of town, and Trek-Segafredo painted its party green.
From Trek presenting Mads with a custom-painted Madone, to the entire staff donning supportive t-shirts, the Team enjoyed its final day of a Vuelta to remember.
For all those who have been asking… it’s happening 💚😜
A first look at @Mads__Pedersen’s new whip for Madrid 🤩#LaVuelta22 pic.twitter.com/C5qfbh6vzS
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) September 11, 2022
SQU💚D GO💚LS #LaVuelta22 #WeAreATeam pic.twitter.com/WycJui9nAg
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) September 11, 2022
“We would have loved to win today, but I am super happy with these three weeks, it was way better than we expected,” continued Mads.
“It’s been a long season and I am looking forward to going home now and almost call it a season and close the book. I am happy with this Vuelta; it’s a nice feeling right now. I still have some races in October, but first I go home and take a week off.”
🐢 @TV2SPORTdk & @Reedtz found the perfect gift for @Mads__Pedersen this morning 😂🤣#LaVuelta22 pic.twitter.com/9ZnNcLnsYv
— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) September 11, 2022
We are a team.
