Leopard Trek shines on Queen stage in Denmark

Jakob Fuglsang soloed to victory on the queen stage of the Post Danmark Rundt. Behind the three-time overall winner of the Tour of Denmark, Daniele Bennati sprinted to third place. Martin Pedersen spent the day in the breakaway and becomes the new leader in the hill competition.


Fuglsang had won in Vejle before and had high hopes of a repeat win. “There was clear plan today to go for the stage win,” explained Fuglsang. “After I lost so much time on the opening stage, I decided to focus on this stage and not worry so much about the time gaps.”


“I have good fitness and good legs coming out of the Tour de France,” he continued. “Today, I showed that I’m one of the strongest riders here. I showed that it was bad luck that I didn’t finish with the front group on the first stage. I’m happy to take something with me from this Tour of Denmark.”


With Fuglsang focused on the finish, Martin Pedersen put himself in the day’s early break. Thirteen kilometers into the start of the third stage, Pedersen joined six others up the road. The Rabobank-led field, in defense of Matti Breschel’s lead, never allowed the seven to gain more than three minutes on the bunch. Despite the short leash, the break stayed away long enough for Pedersen to win all four hill sprints and move into the hill sprints’ jersey.


“I told the riders that if there was a move that had more than five guys in it, we needed to be represented in that move,” said Sports Director Lars Michaelsen. “Martin saw the opportunity to get in the break and then decided to try his hand in the hill sprints competition.”


“It was a hard fight for the points,” added Petersen. “Many other riders in the break were also keen to compete for the hill sprints. I realized it would be hard to keep Rabobank away the whole day. They were chasing hard. We were caught after the final hill sprint before the finishing circuit.”


It was gruppo compatto as the peloton headed into Vejle for three laps of a grueling finale that included one time up the short, steep Kiddesvej on each circuit lap. Fuglsang and Davide Viganò broke away from the field on the penultimate lap.


“Each lap included two climbs. First, there was a smaller climb and then the Kiddesvej,” explained Fuglsang. “‘Viga’ led me out on the first climb and down the first descent. He did an amazing job. Really, the whole team did a good job for me today. ‘Viga’ gave everything he had until we were more or less alone. He made the gap for me and I only had to defend it.”


Up the Kiddesvej the final time, Fuglsang climbed alone. Amid massive cheers from his home country fans, Fuglsang crossed the line solo. Simon Gerrans (Sky Procycling) finished two seconds behind for second. Bennati sprinted in nine seconds behind Gerrans to round out the podium.


“I have to say that the team was really strong again today,” said Fuglsang. “They have been working hard for me every day. Mortensen put in a huge effort yesterday. Today, some of the other guys took over. I’m happy for the effort that they make. They’re doing a perfect job.”


- Leopard Trek -