'Mathieu was in a different league today' – Mads Pedersen satisfied with third at Paris-Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix 2024: Mads Pedersen (r) celebrates taking third
Paris-Roubaix 2024: Mads Pedersen (r) celebrates taking third (Image credit: Getty Images)

Third in the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux, Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) can leave this year’s fast and arduous race both pleased with a career-best result and with the satisfaction, too, of being better placed than any other Roubaix rider who wasn't clad in the faux denim of Alpecin-Deceuninck.

The Lidl-Trek racer crossed the line in Roubaix exactly three minutes after repeat winner Mathieu van der Poel, some 60km after he last saw the World Champion out on the road. The final metres of the race pitted him head-to-head against Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), himself a podium finisher last spring.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.