"Everything has an end date. For me, that day is when I can no longer contend for victories. Then I won't belong here anymore. I would find it very difficult to change the type of rider I am, going from being the leader and the winner to always having to play a supporting role", says Pedersen to TV2 Sport.
"Cycling takes a heavy toll on the body. I also have a wife at home, and we want to start a family at some point. We’re reaching the age where that needs to happen. I’ve had teammates in the past who struggled with family life because Dad wasn’t around. That was painful to see back then, and it’s not a situation I want to end up in myself. I’ve achieved much of what I wanted in the sport, and I believe I’ll accomplish the last few things before I retire," says Mads Pedersen.
Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) has amassed over 60 professional career victories, cementing his status as one of the sport's premier classics riders and most versatile sprinters. His most notable achievement is winning the 2019 UCI Road World Championship, becoming the first Danish rider in history to win the men's elite road race title.