{"id":251953,"date":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/07\/not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T23:57:03","slug":"not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/07\/not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Not as easy as it looks&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen perfectly executes Tour de France stage win plan made months in advance by &#8216;workaholic&#8217; head DS"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68\">Sometimes wins in road cycling can come entirely off the cuff, improvised throughout 100s of kilometres of road and with almost 200 riders competing for the same small slice of glory, but on other days \u2013 such as stage 4 of the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Tour de France<\/a> on Tuesday \u2013 a victory can have been several months in the making.<\/p>\n<p>Lidl-Trek were the beneficiaries of such meticulous planning in Foix, with <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/mads-pedersen\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/mads-pedersen\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/riders\/mads-pedersen\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mads Pedersen<\/a> crossing the line and roaring in celebration, just as head sports director Steven de Jongh had imagined happening when he did a recon of the 182-kilometre route months in advance.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-f17c0ba2-7a58-11f1-987b-f1658aa8ac68-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Dutchman had envisaged a day with several Lidl-Trek riders up the road, working to deliver their Danish star, and it was Czech and US national champions Mathias Vacek and Quinn Simmons who became the super domestiques alongside Pedersen after break formation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel=\"\" data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\\\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\\\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"\/><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container=\"\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What was an initial 34-rider move was completely dominated by the German team&#8217;s riders,<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-de-france-mads-pedersen-scorches-stage-4-sprint-with-quinn-simmons-closing-for-lidl-trek-one-two-as-yellow-jersey-changes-hands\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-de-france-mads-pedersen-scorches-stage-4-sprint-with-quinn-simmons-closing-for-lidl-trek-one-two-as-yellow-jersey-changes-hands\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/tour-de-france-mads-pedersen-scorches-stage-4-sprint-with-quinn-simmons-closing-for-lidl-trek-one-two-as-yellow-jersey-changes-hands\/\" rel=\"noopener\"> taking a 1-2 with Simmons as runner-up<\/a> after just over four hours in brutal heat, having marked every move from their persistent opponents and still being able to lead out Pedersen. De Jongh&#8217;s perfect plan for the road from Carcassonne to Foix had also been perfectly executed.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;First of all, Steven is an incredible workaholic, I would say. He&#8217;s doing a lot of recons for these days, and it is really important for him to know what kind of stages we are starting,&#8221; explained Pedersen in his winners&#8217; press conference.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;He did really well to drive 182km on small roads, to see every corner, every stretch of this stage, and when he calls me and says &#8216;I believe this is going to be a breakaway day and we are going to put as many guys as possible in the break with you to win that stage&#8217;, of course I have to look deeper into it as well.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Together we made a plan, tried to go in the break with as many as possible and then we have to see how it goes. It&#8217;s never easy to make a plan and then execute it to perfection, especially when bookmakers and everyone else are saying that you are the main guy who is going to win today. It&#8217;s not as easy as it looks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-mQaPTMyjahCKVSY8SJm4yk slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-0d008e20-7a5e-11f1-a6cf-a10941dddcc3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:2000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.65%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"CARCASSONNE, FRANCE - JULY 07: (L-R) Mathias Vacek of Czech Republic and Team Lidl - Trek, Mads Pedersen of Denmark and Team Lidl - Trek, Alex Kirsch of Luxembourg and Team Cofidis, Pablo Castrillo of Spain and Team Movistar and Kevin Vauquelin of France and Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team compete in the breakaway during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 4 a 181.9km stage from Carcassonne to Foix \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 07, 2026 in Carcassonne, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/V73cB2Xc4VjTVZXgE4tqG3.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614e0a-7a5b-11f1-854e-979639f1462e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An elite Classics rider and Grand Tour stage hunter, but Pedersen is also a powerful sprinter, so when a rolling route with four categorised climbs \u2013 the last of which was 6.9km at 6.1% and came with under 40km to go \u2013 presents itself, it&#8217;s hard to imagine someone like the Dane can even make it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">But Pedersen sits among the group of the most elite riders in cycling&#8217;s current golden generation, a versatile weapon over all terrains, who can win on almost any route, barring a summit finish, that is thrown at him.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">He hasn&#8217;t had the best season, though, by his standards, with this his first win of 2026 after a crash in Valenciana stunted his start to the year, and he went without a Monument victory once again.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen was a constant threat throughout the Classics after he returned to racing, however, finishing in the top 10 of all Milan-San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. Some had counted him out before the Tour but, as has been somewhat of a theme throughout his impressive career, he proved those doubters wrong.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;From Valenciana, of course, it was a tough comeback and we definitely pushed limits to come back to the Classics,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;Was it smart? I don&#8217;t know, but if I had won a Monument, it would have been super nice and in the end, I still finished top 10 in all the Classics I did.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Skipping the Belgium Tour to train a bit harder, do some more moto-pacing, and train more in the heat as well, some guys said it was stupid. I also heard a lot of places that I was done and I should just stop the season; I would not win anything. So it&#8217;s nice to show them that they are definitely wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-b4614e82-7a5b-11f1-bc1f-cdc89cc222ea\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anything-less-would-have-been-a-loss-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;Anything less would have been a loss&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-d4ec0cb2-7a5d-11f1-bce0-07c329a794cb\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:2000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.65%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lidl - Trek team&amp;#039;s Danish rider Mads Pedersen celebrates with Lidl - Trek team&amp;#039;s US rider Quinn Simmons (R) after winning the 4th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 182 km between Carcassonne and Foix in southwestern France, on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Thibault Camus \/ POOL \/ AFP)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1200-80.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-970-80.jpg 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-650-80.jpg 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-480-80.jpg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cnnofrX5JgrVCDrfWqcVTa.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mads Pedersen thanks Lidl-Trek teammate Quinn Simmons after winning stage 4 of the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614ee6-7a5b-11f1-8662-c70d3f860e36\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With De Jongh&#8217;s planning and Pedersen, Vacek and Simmons&#8217; execution, the Dane was able to pay back and dedicate the win to the man who signed him at Lidl-Trek, Luca Guercilena, who has been replaced in his role as team boss by former Tour winner Andy Schleck.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s not a secret he was the guy who signed me in 2017. It&#8217;s nice to end this journey like this,&#8221; said Pedersen. &#8220;To give him a victory \u2013 I promised him that before the Tour. I know that was a big promise, but that&#8217;s nice and it&#8217;s a relief to give it to him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Pedersen unsurprisingly gave significant praise to his two companions in the mass breakaway, saying how much harder it would have been to control on his own in the closing 30 kilometres, where no willing attacker could shake the two national champs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With Quinn and Vacek there, it was easier than being alone; it would have been really tough to control who would attack and be on top of every move because Movistar was there with two guys and also tried quite some times to attack,&#8221; explained Pedersen.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;With these two engines, it was easier to control and they helped each other to close down everything. I think the other guys realised quite fast it would be tough for them to jump away.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In reality, any one of the three likely could have won, given their respective strengths, but Pedersen is a leader of the German squad and with his prowess in the sprint \u2013 demonstrated by the green jersey he will now wear \u2013 the Dane offered the most assured route to the win.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When you have someone like Vacek, a leader like Mads in the team, with our horsepower combined on a good day, it\u2019s hard to beat us. I\u2019m just glad it worked out for Mads and he got his stage,&#8221; said US champion Simmons at the finish line.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When the three of us are on a good day, and the course suits us, it has to be the solution \u2013 anything less would have been a loss. It\u2019s a good thing we have a lot of confidence in Mads, or else I\u2019d be a bit nervous not trying on the climb, but I was quite sure once we got him over that he would win the stage, so that\u2019s nice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b4614f54-7a5b-11f1-825d-41c5e09f9f8c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong> <\/strong><\/em><\/a><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDF26\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em><strong>Find out more<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/not-as-easy-as-it-looks-mads-pedersen-perfectly-executes-tour-de-france-stage-win-plan-made-months-in-advance-by-workaholic-head-ds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes wins in road cycling can come entirely off the cuff, improvised throughout 100s of kilometres of road and with almost 200 riders competing for the same small slice of glory, but on other days \u2013 such as stage 4 of the Tour de France on Tuesday \u2013 a victory can have been several months [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":251954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-251953","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=251953"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/251953\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=251953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=251953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=251953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}