Mads Pedersen delivered a clinical performance on stage 1 of the Giro d’Italia, sprinting to victory in Tirana after Lidl-Trek executed a flawless plan to perfection. The Dane edged out Wout van Aert at the end of a punchy 160km opener from Durrës, becoming the first rider from his country to wear the maglia rosa.
This wasn’t just another stage win – it was a statement. Pedersen, already in form after a spring packed with victories and podiums, capitalised on Lidl-Trek’s ruthless control of the finale. The double ascent of the Surrel climb, just outside Albania’s capital, proved decisive. Sprinters like Sam Bennett, Kaden Groves and Olav Kooij were distanced, while general classification outsiders including Derek Gee and Thymen Arensman also lost time. Former podium finisher Mikel Landa crashed heavily on the descent and was taken to hospital, ending his race before it had truly begun.
At the heart of Lidl-Trek’s success was Giulio Ciccone. His sustained pressure on the final climb sapped the legs of would-be attackers and softened up Van Aert, allowing Pedersen to finish the job. “Cicco really emptied himself,” Pedersen said post-stage. “The GC guys don’t win the Giro today, so we expected them to stay quiet. But Cicco made sure they didn’t even get tempted.”
In the sprint, Pedersen launched early and didn’t flinch, holding off Van Aert in a tight drag to the line. “You always have to be afraid of Wout,” Pedersen said. “He’s one of the smartest riders in the peloton. I heard he was struggling on the climb, but I never underestimate a rider like him. He’s classy.”
Van Aert admitted he’d been on the edge. “I was completely on the limit,” he said. “I had to give myself a mental push just to survive that final climb. I didn’t expect to be second today, so in that sense it’s better than I hoped. But of course, when it’s that close, it still hurts.”
It’s Pedersen’s second Giro stage victory after his win in Naples in 2023, and his 51st as a professional. More importantly, it’s the first time he has pulled on a leader’s jersey in a Grand Tour.
Photo Credit: Getty“This is one of the biggest races in the world,” he said in the post-race press conference. “To be in the pink jersey is amazing. I’ve never had a Grand Tour leader’s jersey before. It’s not something you get handed – you have to earn it. And we did that together today.”
Lidl-Trek controlled the stage from the outset, reeling in a five-man breakaway and gradually turning the screw. The pure sprinters were shelled as the pace rose, and once the race hit Tirana’s finishing circuit, the peloton had been whittled down to fewer than 50 riders.
Van Aert’s teammate Wilco Kelderman played a crucial role in helping the Belgian survive the final ascent, pacing him back into the front group. “Wilco was essential,” Van Aert said. “I was crawling to the top. That wasn’t bluffing. That was all I had.”
The result continues a trend: for the fourth year running, the winner of the Giro’s opening stage was a first-time wearer of the maglia rosa. Pedersen follows in the footsteps of Mathieu van der Poel (2022), Remco Evenepoel (2023) and Jhonatan Narváez (2024).
With no pure flat stages on offer for some time, Pedersen’s versatility could make him a regular fixture at the front of this Giro. Saturday’s 13.7km time trial in Tirana will determine whether he keeps the pink jersey into stage 3. His lead over Van Aert stands at four seconds.
“I’ll give it my all,” said Pedersen. “It’s a short TT, and I can handle those. If I don’t manage to stay in pink, hopefully Mathias Vacek can take over. The most important thing is that the jersey stays in the team.”
Pedersen’s hunger was unmistakable. “We worked too hard for this just to enjoy one day,” he said. “We’re not sitting up now. We’re hungry for more.”
Photo Credit: LaPresse2025 Giro d’Italia Men Stage 1 result
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Main photo credit: LaPresse
