Tour de la Provence: Mads Pedersen dominates 5km Marseille prologue TT

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Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) in action in the time trial — Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) in motion within the time trial(Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)

Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) continued his profitable early season with victory within the prologue time trial of the Tour de la Provence in Marseille.

The Dane powered via the 5km coastal route in a large gear, spinning a 60-tooth chainring, with a blistering successful time of 5:19 at a median velocity of 56.3km/h.

Stepping up from the Lidl-Trek growth group, Jakob Söderqvist completed second simply 5 seconds behind his teammate, with younger Brit Sam Watson (Groupama-FDJ) in third.

Pedersen takes the primary chief’s jersey forward of his Swedish teammate however the hilly third stage and unhealthy climate could forestall him from repeating his total success from Etoile de Bessèges.

“Good begin to Provence. I believe we have been fairly pleased with me in first and Jakob [Söderqvist] second, so pleased days,” stated Pedersen after the stage.

“Tomorrow is one other stage, it appears to be like like it is going to be rain and fairly robust with a variety of climbing up and down. In fact, we attempt to goal for an additional win and we have now a powerful group right here, that’s why we’re right here.

Watson was main the early levels of the out and again time trial alongside the Marseille coast till Pedersen powered throughout the road and set the benchmark too excessive for the remaining starters.

Solely former French nationwide time trial champion Bruno Armirail was more likely to problem the successful time of Pedersen, coming into the ultimate few hundred metres within the inexperienced, however he would drop to fourth on the line in a time of 5:30, ten seconds slower than the previous street race world champion.

Different sprinters current put in strong performances on the 5km route together with Sam Bennett throughout his first race for brand new group Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. The Irishman rode a 5:31 placing him 12 seconds down on Pedersen.

Friday’s second stage ought to provide an opportunity for Pedersen to check his legs on the 157.2km route from Aix-en-Provence to Martigues, on the French coast north of Marseille, with two categorised climbs and an undulating parcours previous the end.