'I have nothing to lose right now' – Mads Pedersen retains high ambitions at comeback race Milan-San Remo

Mads Pedersen, the former world champion, has confirmed his high ambitions for the upcoming Milan-San Remo, stating he has "nothing to lose right now." The Lidl-Trek rider, who has been sidelined since a crash at Paris-Nice in early March, expressed his hope to be "up there" and "able to race in the final" of the season's first Monument. This marks his comeback race, with his last competitive outing being stage 2 of Paris-Nice.

Pedersen's return at Milan-San Remo is significant given his consistent performance in Classics over recent seasons, including a podium finish at the 2023 edition and a victory at Gent-Wevelgem. While his crash at Paris-Nice was a setback, his stated ambition reflects a rider who thrives on aggressive racing and has previously demonstrated the resilience to bounce back. His presence immediately elevates Lidl-Trek's prospects, offering a strong card against the likes of Van der Poel and Pogačar, even if his form is an unknown quantity.

His declaration, "I have nothing to lose," is a classic pre-race gambit. It’s either genuine belief from a man with a point to prove, or a clever deflection of pressure. We'll know which by the Poggio.