'He can't do more than what he is doing now' – Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out

Mads Pedersen, the formidable Lidl-Trek Classics specialist, will reportedly forgo Milan-San Remo this season, with his team’s sports director confirming the focus remains squarely on the Flemish Classics. This strategic shift comes as Pedersen continues his recovery and build-up following a fractured wrist and collarbone sustained during the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana just weeks ago. His current form is deemed insufficient for *La Primavera*, a race demanding peak condition.

This decision, while pragmatic, highlights the brutal calendar demands and the unforgiving nature of early-season injuries for Classics contenders. Pedersen, a former world champion and winner of Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix, has consistently proven his mettle on the cobbled roads. Prioritising his full recovery and targeted preparation for the Flemish monuments, rather than pushing for a race he can't realistically win, is a calculated gamble to maximise his chances where he historically excels.

Ultimately, it’s a sensible retreat from a battle he couldn't win, allowing him to regroup for the wars he can. A fully fit Pedersen in Flanders is a far more dangerous prospect than a compromised one on the Poggio.