Danish cyclist Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) claimed victory in the first stage of the Giro d’Italia, a 160-kilometre route between Durrës and Tirana in Albania, which is hosting this year’s ‘Grande Partenza’.
The stage was marked by high drama, including a serious crash involving Spanish rider Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step). Pedersen triumphed in the final sprint, narrowly beating Belgian Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) to earn the coveted maglia rosa.
Lidl-Trek dominated the race, especially on the two tough ascents of the third-category Surrel climb, which featured gradients as steep as 13 percent. Their aggressive pace wore down many top sprinters, allowing Pedersen to seize the opportunity and showcase his excellent form.
