{"id":2034104,"date":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T20:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034104"},"modified":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T20:57:03","slug":"not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2034104","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Not as easy as it looks&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen perfectly executes Tour de France stage win plan made months in advance by &#8216;workaholic&#8217; head DS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-2000-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JCHyrfLhfcAJ3Us2NHus77-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JCHyrfLhfcAJ3Us2NHus77-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: former World Champion wins Tour de France stage 4 as new race leader takes over from Tadej Poga\u010dar\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Sgj2xNVqb2pjqykDteVLM-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7Sgj2xNVqb2pjqykDteVLM-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts away from Jonas Vingegaard on final section of Les Angles ascent for stage 3 victory and yellow jersey\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Not as easy as it looks&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen perfectly executes Tour de France stage win plan made months in advance by &#8216;workaholic&#8217; head DS<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T23:57:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lidl-Trek rider proves doubters wrong in Foix after hearing &#8216;a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, 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article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68\">Sometimes wins in road cycling can come entirely off the cuff, improvised throughout 100s of kilometres of road and with almost 200 riders competing for the same small slice of glory, but on other days \u2013 such as stage 4 of the Tour de France on Tuesday \u2013 a victory can have been several months in the making.<\/p>\n<p>Lidl-Trek were the beneficiaries of such meticulous planning in Foix, with Mads Pedersen crossing the line and roaring in celebration, just as head sports director Steven de Jongh had imagined happening when he did a recon of the 182-kilometre route months in advance.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutchman had envisaged a day with several Lidl-Trek riders up the road, working to deliver their Danish star, and it was Czech and US national champions Mathias Vacek and Quinn Simmons who became the super domestiques alongside Pedersen after break formation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel 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whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was an initial 34-rider move was completely dominated by the German team&#8217;s riders, taking a 1-2 with Simmons as runner-up after just over four hours in brutal heat, having marked every move from their persistent opponents and still being able to lead out Pedersen. De Jongh&#8217;s perfect plan for the road from Carcassonne to Foix had also been perfectly executed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;First of all, Steven is an incredible workaholic, I would say. He&#8217;s doing a lot of recons for these days, and it is really important for him to know what kind of stages we are starting,&#8221; explained Pedersen in his winners&#8217; press conference.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He did really well to drive 182km on small roads, to see every corner, every stretch of this stage, and when he calls me and says &#8216;I believe this is going to be a breakaway day and we are going to put as many guys as possible in the break with you to win that stage&#8217;, of course I have to look deeper into it as well.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Together we made a plan, tried to go in the break with as many as possible and then we have to see how it goes. It&#8217;s never easy to make a plan and then execute it to perfection, especially when bookmakers and everyone else are saying that you are the main guy who is going to win today. It&#8217;s not as easy as it looks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0d008e20-7a5e-11f1-a6cf-a10941dddcc3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614e0a-7a5b-11f1-854e-979639f1462e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An elite Classics rider and Grand Tour stage hunter, but Pedersen is also a powerful sprinter, so when a rolling route with four categorised climbs \u2013 the last of which was 6.9km at 6.1% and came with under 40km to go \u2013 presents itself, it&#8217;s hard to imagine someone like the Dane can even make it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Pedersen sits among the group of the most elite riders in cycling&#8217;s current golden generation, a versatile weapon over all terrains, who can win on almost any route, barring a summit finish, that is thrown at him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He hasn&#8217;t had the best season, though, by his standards, with this his first win of 2026 after a crash in Valenciana stunted his start to the year, and he went without a Monument victory once again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think I punched my ticket&#8217; &#8211; Quinn Simmons confident stage win in Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes race will earn him a fourth Tour de France start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We only decided to go for it really late&#8217; &#8211; Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d&#8217;Italia and 50th career win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen was a constant threat throughout the Classics after he returned to racing, however, finishing in the top 10 of all Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. Some had counted him out before the Tour but, as has been somewhat of a theme throughout his impressive career, he proved those doubters wrong.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;From Valenciana, of course, it was a tough comeback and we definitely pushed limits to come back to the Classics,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;Was it smart? I don&#8217;t know, but if I had won a Monument, it would have been super nice and in the end, I still finished top 10 in all the Classics I did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Skipping the Belgium Tour to train a bit harder, do some more moto-pacing, and train more in the heat as well, some guys said it was stupid. I also heard a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season; I would not win anything. So it&#8217;s nice to show them that they are definitely wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anything-less-would-have-been-a-loss-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;Anything less would have been a loss&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d4ec0cb2-7a5d-11f1-bce0-07c329a794cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mads Pedersen thanks Lidl-Trek teammate Quinn Simmons after winning stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614ee6-7a5b-11f1-8662-c70d3f860e36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With De Jongh&#8217;s planning and Pedersen, Vacek and Simmons&#8217; execution, the Dane was able to pay back and dedicate the win to the man who signed him at Lidl-Trek, Luca Guercilena, who has been replaced in his role as team boss by former Tour winner Andy Schleck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not a secret he was the guy who signed me in 2017. It&#8217;s nice to end this journey like this,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;To give him a victory \u2013 I promised him that before the Tour. I know that was a big promise, but that&#8217;s nice and it&#8217;s a relief to give it to him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen unsurprisingly gave significant praise to his two companions in the mass breakaway, saying how much harder it would have been to control on his own in the closing 30 kilometres, where no willing attacker could shake the two national champs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With Quinn and Vacek there, it was easier than being alone; it would have been really tough to control who would attack and be on top of every move because Movistar was there with two guys and also tried quite some times to attack,&#8221; explained Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With these two engines, it was easier to control and they helped each other to close down everything. I think the other guys realised quite fast it would be tough for them to jump away.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In reality, any one of the three likely could have won, given their respective strengths, but Pedersen is a leader of the German squad and with his prowess in the sprint \u2013 demonstrated by the green jersey he will now wear \u2013 the Dane offered the most assured route to the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When you have someone like Vacek, a leader like Mads in the team, with our horsepower combined on a good day, it\u2019s hard to beat us. I\u2019m just glad it worked out for Mads and he got his stage,&#8221; said US champion Simmons at the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When the three of us are on a good day, and the course suits us, it has to be the solution \u2013 anything less would have been a loss. It\u2019s a good thing we have a lot of confidence in Mads, or else I\u2019d be a bit nervous not trying on the climb, but I was quite sure once we got him over that he would win the stage, so that\u2019s nice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614f54-7a5b-11f1-825d-41c5e09f9f8c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think I punched my ticket&#8217; &#8211; Quinn Simmons confident stage win in Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes race will earn him a fourth Tour de France start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We only decided to go for it really late&#8217; &#8211; Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d&#8217;Italia and 50th career win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France enters the Extreme Weather Protocol red zone but the show will go on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Olav Kooij shines in debut with victory on stage 5 in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France enters the Extreme Weather Protocol red zone but the show will go on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Iconic roadside fan Didi the Devil robbed at Tour de France start in Barcelona<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France: Olav Kooij shines in debut with victory on stage 5 in Pau<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Not as easy as it looks&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen perfectly executes Tour de France stage win plan made months in advance by &#8216;workaholic&#8217; head DS<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T23:57:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lidl-Trek rider proves doubters wrong in Foix after hearing &#8216;a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, 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article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68\">Sometimes wins in road cycling can come entirely off the cuff, improvised throughout 100s of kilometres of road and with almost 200 riders competing for the same small slice of glory, but on other days \u2013 such as stage 4 of the Tour de France on Tuesday \u2013 a victory can have been several months in the making.<\/p>\n<p>Lidl-Trek were the beneficiaries of such meticulous planning in Foix, with Mads Pedersen crossing the line and roaring in celebration, just as head sports director Steven de Jongh had imagined happening when he did a recon of the 182-kilometre route months in advance.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutchman had envisaged a day with several Lidl-Trek riders up the road, working to deliver their Danish star, and it was Czech and US national champions Mathias Vacek and Quinn Simmons who became the super domestiques alongside Pedersen after break formation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was an initial 34-rider move was completely dominated by the German team&#8217;s riders, taking a 1-2 with Simmons as runner-up after just over four hours in brutal heat, having marked every move from their persistent opponents and still being able to lead out Pedersen. De Jongh&#8217;s perfect plan for the road from Carcassonne to Foix had also been perfectly executed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;First of all, Steven is an incredible workaholic, I would say. He&#8217;s doing a lot of recons for these days, and it is really important for him to know what kind of stages we are starting,&#8221; explained Pedersen in his winners&#8217; press conference.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He did really well to drive 182km on small roads, to see every corner, every stretch of this stage, and when he calls me and says &#8216;I believe this is going to be a breakaway day and we are going to put as many guys as possible in the break with you to win that stage&#8217;, of course I have to look deeper into it as well.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Together we made a plan, tried to go in the break with as many as possible and then we have to see how it goes. It&#8217;s never easy to make a plan and then execute it to perfection, especially when bookmakers and everyone else are saying that you are the main guy who is going to win today. It&#8217;s not as easy as it looks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0d008e20-7a5e-11f1-a6cf-a10941dddcc3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614e0a-7a5b-11f1-854e-979639f1462e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An elite Classics rider and Grand Tour stage hunter, but Pedersen is also a powerful sprinter, so when a rolling route with four categorised climbs \u2013 the last of which was 6.9km at 6.1% and came with under 40km to go \u2013 presents itself, it&#8217;s hard to imagine someone like the Dane can even make it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Pedersen sits among the group of the most elite riders in cycling&#8217;s current golden generation, a versatile weapon over all terrains, who can win on almost any route, barring a summit finish, that is thrown at him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He hasn&#8217;t had the best season, though, by his standards, with this his first win of 2026 after a crash in Valenciana stunted his start to the year, and he went without a Monument victory once again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think I punched my ticket&#8217; &#8211; Quinn Simmons confident stage win in Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes race will earn him a fourth Tour de France start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We only decided to go for it really late&#8217; &#8211; Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d&#8217;Italia and 50th career win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen was a constant threat throughout the Classics after he returned to racing, however, finishing in the top 10 of all Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. Some had counted him out before the Tour but, as has been somewhat of a theme throughout his impressive career, he proved those doubters wrong.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;From Valenciana, of course, it was a tough comeback and we definitely pushed limits to come back to the Classics,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;Was it smart? I don&#8217;t know, but if I had won a Monument, it would have been super nice and in the end, I still finished top 10 in all the Classics I did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Skipping the Belgium Tour to train a bit harder, do some more moto-pacing, and train more in the heat as well, some guys said it was stupid. I also heard a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season; I would not win anything. So it&#8217;s nice to show them that they are definitely wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anything-less-would-have-been-a-loss-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;Anything less would have been a loss&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d4ec0cb2-7a5d-11f1-bce0-07c329a794cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mads Pedersen thanks Lidl-Trek teammate Quinn Simmons after winning stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614ee6-7a5b-11f1-8662-c70d3f860e36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With De Jongh&#8217;s planning and Pedersen, Vacek and Simmons&#8217; execution, the Dane was able to pay back and dedicate the win to the man who signed him at Lidl-Trek, Luca Guercilena, who has been replaced in his role as team boss by former Tour winner Andy Schleck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not a secret he was the guy who signed me in 2017. It&#8217;s nice to end this journey like this,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;To give him a victory \u2013 I promised him that before the Tour. I know that was a big promise, but that&#8217;s nice and it&#8217;s a relief to give it to him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen unsurprisingly gave significant praise to his two companions in the mass breakaway, saying how much harder it would have been to control on his own in the closing 30 kilometres, where no willing attacker could shake the two national champs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With Quinn and Vacek there, it was easier than being alone; it would have been really tough to control who would attack and be on top of every move because Movistar was there with two guys and also tried quite some times to attack,&#8221; explained Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With these two engines, it was easier to control and they helped each other to close down everything. I think the other guys realised quite fast it would be tough for them to jump away.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In reality, any one of the three likely could have won, given their respective strengths, but Pedersen is a leader of the German squad and with his prowess in the sprint \u2013 demonstrated by the green jersey he will now wear \u2013 the Dane offered the most assured route to the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When you have someone like Vacek, a leader like Mads in the team, with our horsepower combined on a good day, it\u2019s hard to beat us. I\u2019m just glad it worked out for Mads and he got his stage,&#8221; said US champion Simmons at the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When the three of us are on a good day, and the course suits us, it has to be the solution \u2013 anything less would have been a loss. It\u2019s a good thing we have a lot of confidence in Mads, or else I\u2019d be a bit nervous not trying on the climb, but I was quite sure once we got him over that he would win the stage, so that\u2019s nice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614f54-7a5b-11f1-825d-41c5e09f9f8c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I think I punched my ticket&#8217; &#8211; Quinn Simmons confident stage win in Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes race will earn him a fourth Tour de France start<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We only decided to go for it really late&#8217; &#8211; Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d&#8217;Italia and 50th career win<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France enters the Extreme Weather Protocol red zone but the show will go on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bMtR6cZLdgHbhtMvNbo2hH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Olav Kooij shines in debut with victory on stage 5 in Pau<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Auh4iSETkaCo6LGmpwFvj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France enters the Extreme Weather Protocol red zone but the show will go on<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/myRfrtXmEJ6za5ZmAWaEF4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCye566gTNm59NR25rPXSW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sGA3QBmZQ8wsk8qq2kpxiJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bx2uiiQqS7bV7GiYQRdav3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Iconic roadside fan Didi the Devil robbed at Tour de France start in Barcelona<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9FYNiUqUfGmpDreQ7mQCqE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;The key moment of this first week&#8217; \u2013 Teenage Tour de France star Seixas heads into unknown on first high mountain stage as GC bid gets going fully<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Probably the lightest I&#8217;ve ever seen him&#8217; \u2013 Red Bull full of confidence in extremely lean Remco Evenepoel ahead of first Tour de France mountain stage<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We&#8217;re confident&#8217;- Decathlon CMA CGM shrug off rival bids to sign Tour de France super talent Paul Seixas<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Jonas Vingegaard avoids Tour de France disaster, scrambles to finish on teammate&#8217;s bike after late crash chaos<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France: Olav Kooij shines in debut with victory on stage 5 in Pau<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Not as easy as it looks&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen perfectly executes Tour de France stage win plan made months in advance by &#8216;workaholic&#8217; head DS<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T23:57:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n7 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Lidl-Trek rider proves doubters wrong in Foix after hearing &#8216;a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li 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newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68\">Sometimes wins in road cycling can come entirely off the cuff, improvised throughout 100s of kilometres of road and with almost 200 riders competing for the same small slice of glory, but on other days \u2013 such as stage 4 of the Tour de France on Tuesday \u2013 a victory can have been several months in the making.<\/p>\n<p>Lidl-Trek were the beneficiaries of such meticulous planning in Foix, with Mads Pedersen crossing the line and roaring in celebration, just as head sports director Steven de Jongh had imagined happening when he did a recon of the 182-kilometre route months in advance.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutchman had envisaged a day with several Lidl-Trek riders up the road, working to deliver their Danish star, and it was Czech and US national champions Mathias Vacek and Quinn Simmons who became the super domestiques alongside Pedersen after break formation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was an initial 34-rider move was completely dominated by the German team&#8217;s riders, taking a 1-2 with Simmons as runner-up after just over four hours in brutal heat, having marked every move from their persistent opponents and still being able to lead out Pedersen. De Jongh&#8217;s perfect plan for the road from Carcassonne to Foix had also been perfectly executed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;First of all, Steven is an incredible workaholic, I would say. He&#8217;s doing a lot of recons for these days, and it is really important for him to know what kind of stages we are starting,&#8221; explained Pedersen in his winners&#8217; press conference.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4U9dX9qF4XoGxgb2eky87h-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Mads Pedersen scorches stage 4 sprint with Quinn Simmons closing for Lidl-Trek one-two as yellow jersey changes hands<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/z2LghQ6JueBbrFoFEiMm3Z-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We also had our plan and we did exactly the opposite&#8217; &#8211; How Soudal-Quickstep avoided disaster to deliver Paul Magnier to Giro d&#8217;Italia victory <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He did really well to drive 182km on small roads, to see every corner, every stretch of this stage, and when he calls me and says &#8216;I believe this is going to be a breakaway day and we are going to put as many guys as possible in the break with you to win that stage&#8217;, of course I have to look deeper into it as well.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Together we made a plan, tried to go in the break with as many as possible and then we have to see how it goes. It&#8217;s never easy to make a plan and then execute it to perfection, especially when bookmakers and everyone else are saying that you are the main guy who is going to win today. It&#8217;s not as easy as it looks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0d008e20-7a5e-11f1-a6cf-a10941dddcc3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614e0a-7a5b-11f1-854e-979639f1462e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An elite Classics rider and Grand Tour stage hunter, but Pedersen is also a powerful sprinter, so when a rolling route with four categorised climbs \u2013 the last of which was 6.9km at 6.1% and came with under 40km to go \u2013 presents itself, it&#8217;s hard to imagine someone like the Dane can even make it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Pedersen sits among the group of the most elite riders in cycling&#8217;s current golden generation, a versatile weapon over all terrains, who can win on almost any route, barring a summit finish, that is thrown at him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He hasn&#8217;t had the best season, though, by his standards, with this his first win of 2026 after a crash in Valenciana stunted his start to the year, and he went without a Monument victory once again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pqH29hahi2ZT59E57grYz4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Everything can change in the Tour de France on any day&#8217; \u2013 Ever-ambitious Juan Ayuso sets podium goal as Lidl-Trek balance leaders<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iLu89KxzRutbcSVCZXdndF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I think I punched my ticket&#8217; &#8211; Quinn Simmons confident stage win in Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes race will earn him a fourth Tour de France start<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wD9atDthJGMxNCdrTpeiMP-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We only decided to go for it really late&#8217; &#8211; Switch of plan nets Jonas Vingegaard second stage in three days at Giro d&#8217;Italia and 50th career win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen was a constant threat throughout the Classics after he returned to racing, however, finishing in the top 10 of all Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. Some had counted him out before the Tour but, as has been somewhat of a theme throughout his impressive career, he proved those doubters wrong.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;From Valenciana, of course, it was a tough comeback and we definitely pushed limits to come back to the Classics,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;Was it smart? I don&#8217;t know, but if I had won a Monument, it would have been super nice and in the end, I still finished top 10 in all the Classics I did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Skipping the Belgium Tour to train a bit harder, do some more moto-pacing, and train more in the heat as well, some guys said it was stupid. I also heard a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season; I would not win anything. So it&#8217;s nice to show them that they are definitely wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anything-less-would-have-been-a-loss-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;Anything less would have been a loss&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-d4ec0cb2-7a5d-11f1-bce0-07c329a794cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mads Pedersen thanks Lidl-Trek teammate Quinn Simmons after winning stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614ee6-7a5b-11f1-8662-c70d3f860e36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With De Jongh&#8217;s planning and Pedersen, Vacek and Simmons&#8217; execution, the Dane was able to pay back and dedicate the win to the man who signed him at Lidl-Trek, Luca Guercilena, who has been replaced in his role as team boss by former Tour winner Andy Schleck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not a secret he was the guy who signed me in 2017. It&#8217;s nice to end this journey like this,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;To give him a victory \u2013 I promised him that before the Tour. I know that was a big promise, but that&#8217;s nice and it&#8217;s a relief to give it to him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen unsurprisingly gave significant praise to his two companions in the mass breakaway, saying how much harder it would have been to control on his own in the closing 30 kilometres, where no willing attacker could shake the two national champs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With Quinn and Vacek there, it was easier than being alone; it would have been really tough to control who would attack and be on top of every move because Movistar was there with two guys and also tried quite some times to attack,&#8221; explained Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With these two engines, it was easier to control and they helped each other to close down everything. I think the other guys realised quite fast it would be tough for them to jump away.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In reality, any one of the three likely could have won, given their respective strengths, but Pedersen is a leader of the German squad and with his prowess in the sprint \u2013 demonstrated by the green jersey he will now wear \u2013 the Dane offered the most assured route to the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When you have someone like Vacek, a leader like Mads in the team, with our horsepower combined on a good day, it\u2019s hard to beat us. I\u2019m just glad it worked out for Mads and he got his stage,&#8221; said US champion Simmons at the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When the three of us are on a good day, and the course suits us, it has to be the solution \u2013 anything less would have been a loss. It\u2019s a good thing we have a lot of confidence in Mads, or else I\u2019d be a bit nervous not trying on the climb, but I was quite sure once we got him over that he would win the stage, so that\u2019s nice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614f54-7a5b-11f1-825d-41c5e09f9f8c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YoCZrjjh9nGwVGBXkeGXwQ-2000-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: former World Champion wins Tour de France stage 4 as new race leader takes over from Tadej Poga\u010dar 2 Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar blasts away from Jonas Vingegaard on final section of Les Angles ascent for stage 3 victory and yellow jersey 3 Tour de France: Mads [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2034104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2034104"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2034104\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2034104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2034104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2034104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}