Vuelta winner Mads Pedersen claimed a thrilling debut victory following a solo breakaway in Monforte de Lemos, marking the toughest start to a racing career in the competition.
Mads Pedersen Secures Historic Points Jersey Wins at Vuelta a España 2025
Mads Pedersen, riding for team Lidl-Trek, has achieved a remarkable feat in the Vuelta a España 2025, securing multiple stage victories and historic points jersey wins at the Grand Tour.
The decisive stage saw several key moments that shaped the race's outcome. Four cyclists, Ciccone, Bernard, Verona, and Ghebrezhabier, controlled the day's breakaway, with Pedersen's companions in the breakaway including Bernard, Ciccone, Verona, and Ghebreigzabhier. INEOS had two members in the 'break of the break' (Sheffield and Bernal).
As the race progressed, Verona and Ghebreigzabhier left the group, forcing Pedersen to attack Bernal and Buitrago. The brutal succession of attacks caused Vine and Vervaeke's advantage to plummet significantly, with Lidl-Trek reducing the advantage but many 'rebels' preventing a sprint arrival.
Vine (UAE) and Vervaeke (Soudal) attacked seeking the points of the Barbeitos climb (2nd category) and formed the leading duo for much of the stage. However, their advantage was short-lived as Bernal, Sheffield, Frigo, Buitrago, Aular, and Dunbar had to catch them and then resolve the breakaway. Kwiatkowski attacked, causing the group to shatter.
Mads Pedersen had to respond to all attacks during the stage, aware of his favoritism. Alpecin and COFIDIS reacted late to the breakaway. With seven kilometers remaining, Vine and Vervaeke were caught, setting up a fight for the victory within the chosen group. Unfortunately, Magnus Sheffield suffered a crash that ended his chance at victory in the final sprint. Aular finished second.
In the final stretch, only Bahrain pulled at the end of the stage to prevent Torstein Traeen from losing his top-ten position. Pedersen, showing his resilience and determination, managed to hold off the competition and win the stage. This victory marks the opening of Lidl-Trek's box in this round after coming very close in several stages.
The nine strongest riders in the race were Pedersen, Aular, Sheffield, Bernal, Buitrago, Dunbar, and Frigo. Pedersen's historic points jersey wins at the Vuelta a España 2025 are a testament to his skills, team support, and unrelenting spirit. The cycling world eagerly awaits to see what Pedersen and his team Lidl-Trek will achieve in the remaining stages of the Grand Tour.
A Garganta, a first-category climb, was the site of numerous attacks that formed the group disputing the stage. Javi Romo fell due to a man jumping onto the asphalt from nowhere, adding another unexpected element to the already thrilling race. The Vuelta a España 2025 continues to captivate audiences with its intense competition and unpredictable twists and turns.
