Mads Pedersen storms to dominant third Gent-Wevelgem crown and 50th pro race win in Flanders
By Leon Imber
Updated 30/03/2025 at 22:56 GMT+1
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Lidl-Trek enjoyed a dominant afternoon in Flanders as Mads Pedersen led resoundingly for the final 50km to cross the line for his third Gent-Wevelgem crown, successfully defending his title. A heavy favourite going into the race, Pedersen lived up to his billing with a blistering performance in which he was never troubled, easing to the 50th professional race win of his career.
Highlights as Pedersen soloes to Gent-Wevelgem win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) stormed to his third Gent-Wevelgem victory, and his overall 50th professional race win, with a dominant performance in Flanders.
On the narrow tracks known as plugstreets, with 74km to go, Pedersen escaped the peloton's clutches. He charged across to the breakaway before leaving behind those who remained after less than 20km in their company. He was able to establish a healthy advantage which, 20km later, stood at 1'50".
Although the chasing teams were able to partially organise, Pedersen's lead was never seriously threatened and it became a battle for second place. Almost a minute after Pedersen had crossed the line Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) went head to head with Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step). The Belgian came out on top with Milan finishing a close third.
All of which came after 250km of intense racing, inspired by the fierce winds that blew across the exposed plains of West Flanders.
After leaving historic Ypres, a group of nine riders made the early break: Rui Oliveira (UAE Emirates-XRG), Max Walker (EF Education EasyPost), Sam Maisonobe (Cofidis), Jasha Sutterlin (Jayco AlUla), Emīls Liepins (Q36.5 Pro Cycling), Victor Vercouillie (Flanders Baloise), Samuel Leroux (TotalEnergies), Alexys Brounel (TotalEnergies), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling).
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They gained as much as three minutes of advantage, but that lead came down at a rapid rate once the peloton entered the crosswinds section of the course. Efforts, somewhat successful, mainly from Lidl-Trek were made to split the peloton into its components, parts of which would not see the front of the race again.
Past halfway and there was a front group of 32 riders, including Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Wanty), Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Victor Campenaerts (Visma-Lease a Bike), as well as the ever-vigilant Pedersen. Merlier and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) were caught in a second echelon, but were able to reattach when the pace eased through a feedzone.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
There might have been an early catch of the break, but instead Campenaerts took it upon himself to hop across to it and inject it with impetus. Under his captaincy, the gap, which had been down to double digits, increased again to almost two minutes.
After the first time up the famous Kemmelberg came the plugstreets, which was where Pedersen grasped the nettle. Only Philipsen, Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Arjen Livyns (Lotto) were able to hold his wheel. The next time the camera cut back to the group, it only contained Livyns and Pedersen - Philipsen was afflicted by a puncture, while Kooij had seemingly crashed into a ditch and was forced to abandon the race.
The pair made short work of bridging to the break, but Pedersen did not spend much time in their company either. On the second ascent of the Kemmelberg, 56km from the finish, he powered away over the top. He appeared to contemplate waiting for Campenaerts, Haller and Livyns but ultimately decided he was better off alone.
For Pedersen’s lead to stick he seemed to need a minute or thereabouts by the final time up the Kemmelberg, the steeper, Ossuaire side. This he had and more. Whether the bunch were unable to organise, or commit, or simply lacked the strength to match his, the gap was never much less than 90 seconds.
On the return through Ypres, he had 1’22" in hand. Catching a tailwind for the run-in made victory all but a certainty.
Uno-X Mobility and Alpecin-Deceuninck, tried to keep the pressure on the runaway leader, but were realistically battling between themselves for second place. Pedersen’s Lidl-Trek team-mates fancied getting themselves involved and bringing home a 1-2.
Pedersen remained committed to his effort for the run-in, only easing up slightly through the flamme rouge, able to appreciate and enjoy a second Gent-Wevelgem on the bounce. His total now equals the record held by riders including Peter Sagan, Tom Boonen and Eddy Merckx.
The sprint for second place was fought out from distance by Merlier and Milan. Lidl-Trek had to settle for a first and third, as Merlier edged second spot.
"It's crazy," Pedersen said on TNT Sports. "I never expected to be able to do something like this, but to win here again is super nice.
"I knew the tailwind would favour being alone in the last 20km, and on the plugstreets I had really good legs so I decided to open the race.
"At some point, it's the point of no return. This could have ended in s*** but it went well, so. Luckily, it was a good decision.
"I haven't been in better shape than now. Friday and today confirms it, so I'm super happy. In the last 5km I knew the bunch was coming but the last 300-400m I could realise.
"I was told this morning that if I won this I would be a joint record holder, and of course it's nice, but winning is just nice."
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