'We hope to race in Belgium' - No Milan-Sanremo as Pedersen faces race against clock for cobbled Classics return

Mads Pedersen suffered a fractured left wrist and right collarbone after he was involved in a crash on his first race day of the 2026 season at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana in Spain. 

Ever since, the former world champion has been battling a race against the clock to be ready in time for his beloved Spring Classics, but it seems he will not be ready in time to start La Classicissima on March 21 for the first time since 2021. 

The Dane has been consistent in his four participations at Milan-Sanremo, finishing 6th in 2022 and 2023, 4th in 2024, and 7th in 2025.

Pedersen’s compatriot and Lidl-Trek Sports Director Kim Andersen has confirmed that Pedersen is fighting tooth and nail to return. 

"He is doing what he can. In any case, he is working himself to death,” Andersen told Sporza. "It is difficult to say when he will return. The only thing I can say is that he is working incredibly hard to return as soon as possible.”

Andersen has explained that he hopes Pedersen will be ready for action by the time the Cobbled Classics begin. E3 Saxo Classic is the first of the Cobbled races that was on the Danish rider's provisional schedule, and the race kicks off in less than two weeks' time on March 27. 

“We are trying to make it to the Flemish races; that is in the back of his mind. He can't do more than what he is doing now. We hope to be able to race in Belgium,” said Andersen. "He makes a very good impression and is very motivated.”

This follows Pedersen's own comments on his Lang Distance podcast last week, where he confirmed the current status of his return. 

“It’s going to be damn difficult,” Pedersen said when asked if Milan-Sanremo is likely out of reach. “Even E3 [Saxo Classic] will still be hard to reach. It’s still a complicated fracture, and the bones in my hand haven’t healed yet.”

On Opening Weekend, without Pedersen, Lidl-Trek finished 36th at Omloop Nieuwsblad with Toms Skujiņš before taking 29th with Héctor Álvarez at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. 

Pedersen enjoyed a strong Cobbled campaign in 2025, winning Gent-Wevelgem for a record-equalling third time with a 56km solo effort, before finishing 2nd at the Tour of Flanders and 3rd at Paris-Roubaix.