Mads Pedersen set for surgery after fracturing wrist and collarbone in opening stage of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
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Published 04/02/2026 at 22:53 GMT
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Lidl-Trek's Mads Pedersen is set for a spell off the saddle after fracturing his wrist and collarbone on Stage One of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Pedersen was set to race in Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders this spring but that is all now in jeopardy. Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling) won the stage in Spain, the Eritrean's first victory since the 2024 Tour de France.
Girmay makes 'dream' debut for NSN with Volta a la comunitat Valencia triumph
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mads Pedersen started his 2026 season in the worst possible fashion with the Lidl-Trek star breaking his wrist and collarbone on Stage 1 of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana.
The Dane crashed on his first race day of the year as Biniam Girmay won the stage on debut for NSN Cycling and took the orange jersey.
Pedersen was set to race in Milano-Sanremo on March 21, but that has now been thrown into serious doubt, as have his other main spring targets - the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in April.
Lidl-Trek said in a statement: "Mads Pedersen suffered a fracture of the left wrist and right collarbone in the crash on day one at Volta Comunitat Valenciana, which will be operated on tomorrow.
"The team’s first priority is to ensure Mads gets the best care possible and the immediate focus will be on a successful recovery to minimise the disruption to his season goals.
"We will announce his return to racing in due course and will share any further updates only if necessary."
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Pedersen says critics should 'shut their mouths'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pedersen is also set to take part in the Tour de France which starts in July and that could now take on added importance if he cannot complete in the three spring Monuments. The second half of his 2026 schedule has not yet been announced, but could see a heavier workload if he is sidelined for most of the spring.
It is a huge blow for Lidl-Trek who were entering the season surrounded by plenty of positivity after signing Juan Ayuso from UAE Team Emirates-XRG to be their GC leader - the Spaniard has finished third in the Vuelta a Espana and won the 2025 edition of Tirreno–Adriatico.
Sprinter Jonathan Milan had taken two victories at the AlUla Tour to open the team’s account for the season but for the rest of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana the pressure will be on leader Julien Bernard and Britain’s Tao Geoghegan Hart to add to that tally in the four remaining stages.
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Both riders finished in the bunch on Stage One as Mathias Vacek was the team’s best rider, finishing 12th behind Girmay, who out-sprinted Arne Marit (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) to claim his first win since the 2024 Tour de France.
Stage Two sees riders compete against the clock in a 17km time trial before Friday’s queen stage, featuring a 7.5km, 5% climb on the way to San Vicente del Raspeig before Stage Four, which is packed with short, sharp climbs followed by a rolling finale.
Watch and stream the 2026 cycling season - including the Tour de France in July - live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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