Lidl-Trek bosses celebrate Pedersen's Tour de France stage win: 'A huge relief'

Mads Pedersen's victory on the fourth stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday brought immense relief to the Lidl-Trek team, ending a 10-month drought without a win. Team manager Andy Schleck described the win as a "huge relief" for Pedersen, who has endured a challenging year.

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He has had a very, very hard year with his crash, and the classics did not go optimally for him. It is a huge relief for him, and he has really deserved it.

Pedersen's season was hampered by a crash in Spain in February, which forced him to accelerate his rehabilitation. While he achieved decent placings, he struggled with wrist pain leading up to the Tour de France. His win on Tuesday was particularly meaningful given these struggles.

The stage win was secured after Pedersen was part of a breakaway group. Teammates Quinn Simmons and Mathias Vacek played crucial roles in supporting him. "It was a dream scenario for us," said sports director Kim Andersen, highlighting how the team worked to control the race and ensure Pedersen had the best chance to win.

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It feels special today.

Andersen noted that Simmons, who finished second on the stage, also had strong legs but the team prioritized Pedersen's pursuit of victory. The collective effort and strategic support were key to achieving the desired outcome.

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One could hardly have dreamed that it would be like this. When the breakaway got away, it was a total dream scenario for us.