Sprinting Away in Albania: Mads Pedersen Grabs First Stage of Giro d'Italia 2023
Ex-world sprint titleholder competes in Giro d'Albania cycling race
Connect on Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram E-Mail Print Save
The 108th Giro d'Italia kicks off in Europe, with the initial stage taking place in Albania before the race touches down at the Vatican. The opening stage saw Mads Pedersen, ex-world champion and rider for Lidl-Trek, sprint his way to the pink jersey.
Mads Pedersen claimed victory in Tirana, Albania, after a grueling 160 kilometers. Belgian Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) finished second, and Venezuelan Orluis Aular (Movistar) rounded out the podium finishers. This marked Pedersen's 51st career win and his second triumph at the Giro, following his victory in 2023.
"What a fantastic performance! This is incredible, especially after this amazing teamwork," Pedersen said, representing a Grand Tour leader's jersey for the first time in his career. "I had the legs to win the stage for the team today," he added, with a confident smile.
The race commenced in the coastal town of Durres on the Adriatic coast, with the Gracen Pass serving as the initial challenge for the cyclists. The final laps to the Surrel Hill, characterized by steep 13% inclines, tested the riders’ endurance.
Tobias Steinhauser (EF Education-Easy Post) and sprinter Max Kanter (Astana), both previous winners, suffered nasty crashes and fell behind. Steinhauser finished 10 minutes and 37 seconds behind, while the only German in the leading group was Felix Engelhardt (Team Jayco AlUla). Spaniard Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) experienced a heavy fall during a descent before the finish, eventually abandoning the race.
With defending champion Tadej Pogacar unable to participate, Slovenian compatriot Primoz Roglic from the German team Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe emerged as the top contender to win the race. The 35-year-old managed to finish with the leading group on the first stage. In the upcoming weeks, Roglic is expected to fend off attacks from young Spanish rider Juan Ayuso, a teammate of Pogacar's from UAE.
The Giro d'Italia will stay in Albania for another two stages before transferring to Italy. This coming Saturday, the riders will tackle a challenging 13.7-kilometer individual time trial through Tirana.
While the first two weeks of the race may not reveal much in terms of riders' strengths, weeks three and beyond promise grueling mountain stages. Following 3,413 kilometers, the Giro will conclude in Rome on June 1, allowing the cyclists to ride through the Vatican in honor of the late Pope Francis.
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/sid
A Few Facts About Giro d'Italia:
- The Giro d'Italia is a world-renowned cycling race that takes place in an assortment of locations, primarily across Italy.
- Each year, the Giro crows a new overall winner following the race's completion.
- The race consists of various stages, covering hundreds of kilometers and testing the endurance and expertise of participating cyclists.
- Top contenders in the Giro often include highly-skilled riders with exceptional abilities in mountain and time-trial stages.
- Need to catch the race on TV? Check out TNT Sports (or similar channels) for live coverage. For more detailed information on the Giro's history and previous editions, consult archived cycling news or official Giro d'Italia websites.
- The 108th Giro d'Italia, a renowned cycling race, not only takes place across Italy but also ventures to other locations, as evidenced by its inaugural stage in Albania.
- Mads Pedersen, the former world champion, added another remarkable victory to his list, claiming the pink jersey in the sports of cycling - the first stage of this year's Giro d'Italia, held in Albania.
- As the race progresses through the following stages and movements to Italy, the attention of cycling enthusiasts will shift towards the anticipated mountain stages, where the young Spanish rider Juan Ayuso, a teammate of defending champion Tadej Pogacar, is expected to make a significant impact.
