‘It was chaotic, I was a bit afraid sometimes’ - Søren Wærenskjold on chaotic Copenhagen Sprint

"It was chaotic, I was a bit afraid sometimes," Wærenskjold said to Domestique. "There was a lot of stop and go, but I managed to stay out of the crashes." 

Wærenskjold found himself boxed in during the final sprint, hindering his chances at victory. He explained the tactical challenge posed by the headwind, forcing him to wait in Jordi Meeus's (winner of the race) wheel before getting squeezed as other riders fought hard for position.

The Norwegian echoed concerns raised by the likes of Lorena Wiebes and Blanka Vas about dangerous road furniture on the course, particularly obstacles in the centre of the road.

"The stones that go out to the side are quite wide compared to other countries," he said. "You're maybe used to riding 50 centimetres from the centre, but now you have to be closer to a metre from them."

Wærenskjold criticised the UCI's priorities, suggesting they focus too much on equipment regulations rather than course safety. He recommended taller markings on obstacles in the race to improve visibility for riders approaching at speed.

"They should have something taller so we can see it easier, like two metres tall instead of one metre," he noted.

Looking ahead, Wærenskjold confirmed he's targeting the first stage of the Tour de France with its opportunity to claim the yellow jersey, but otherwise plans a day-by-day approach to the race.

When asked about the potential for a Norwegian victory on the Champs-Élysées stage after the Montmartre addition, he remained cautious about the climb but hopeful about sprint possibilities.

"I did it in the Olympics, so I know it's quite hard," he said. "But I think it could be a sprint, I hope."

Following the Tour, Wærenskjold indicated that he might race in the Tour of Denmark or at the Arctic Race of Norway, confirming he will not be participating in this year's World Championships in Rwanda.