A Victory of Experience. That’s how many described Mads Pedersen’s latest victory at the Giro. But what does a “victory of experience” really mean? It’s a phrase that packs in a lot of nuance—something only those who’ve spent time in the peloton can fully grasp.
Pedersen’s triumph can be called a win of experience because it began with a conscious decision: dropping back slightly on the penultimate climb to conserve even the smallest bit of energy. This kind of move requires deep awareness of your own sensations, something that goes far beyond power meters. You’re not dealing with measurable watts here—what matters is a subtle physical intuition, a controlled easing off that can change the outcome later.
Victory of experience also means staying calm when chaos erupts around you. With 2 km to go, if you’re slightly out of position while the group is raging—between those fighting for sprint spots, others launching attacks, and GC riders trying to stay up front—a moment’s hesitation can be fatal. Pedersen didn’t crack: others surged past him, but he held firm, focused, refusing to let go.
Then, just as the TV commentators were counting him out, he dug deep, fought back to the front, and slotted into exactly the right place to launch his sprint. That’s the difference a champion makes.
It’s the edge Zambanini, despite having stronger legs on the day, couldn’t quite find. The Italian had to sprint from a losing position, no longer able to fight for the win. And yet, through sheer strength, he managed to salvage second place in a photo finish—a near-miracle, considering where he was at the final corner.
But credit also goes to Vacek, who kept doing his job even when his leader was momentarily out of the picture. He shut down attacks without overreacting, controlled the pace, sending a clear message: no one’s getting away—I’ll bring them all back. And the moment Pedersen returned, Vacek kicked into gear with a flawless pull, working in perfect sync with his captain. Once again, proof that Lidl-Trek is the smartest team tactically right now, both in collective execution and individual decisions.
