Trek-Segafredo introduced a last-minute change to their roster for Milan-San Remo, with defending champion Jasper Stuyven out with sickness after racing Paris-Good. Mads Pedersen, winner of stage 3 within the French WorldTour race, will take his place as chief on Saturday.
“Getting sick presently of the season is a giant disappointment,” Stuyven mentioned the day earlier than his scheduled pre-race press convention. “In fact, I used to be excited to race with the #1 on my again after profitable my first Monument final 12 months. I assumed I had safely obtained by means of Paris-Good, however clearly I picked one thing up there.”
So many riders turned sick or injured at Paris-Good that solely 59 riders completed the race, the least categorized finishers since 1985. Many had been reportedly victims of a non-COVID-19 virus that circulated within the race entourage.
“For me, the main target is now on getting wholesome earlier than the upcoming cobbled classics,” Stuyven mentioned.
Pedersen, clearly on glowing type after wins in Paris-Good, Étoile de Bessèges and a podium within the GP la Marseillaise, meant to skip Milan-San Remo to construct his peak type towards Paris-Roubaix, which is one week later this season because of the French elections. As an alternative, he’ll make his debut within the race.
“As I mentioned in lots of interviews final week, it wasn’t the plan for me to race Milan-San Remo, however generally plans change,” Pedersen mentioned.
“It is a late change, however I am feeling motivated and know that my form is nice. In fact, it is a massive pity for Jasper that he would not get the prospect to defend his title, however we are going to do our greatest to make it two in a row for the workforce.”
