In pouring rain, CULT Energy Pro Cycling and the rest of the Tour of Denmark peloton took on the 180 kilometer first stage the Danish stage race from Struer to Holstebro. In the finale, Mads Pedersen broke clear in the crucial break and the CULT Energy youngster finished 4th.

During the first hour of the race, the peloton did no less than 49.5 kilometers and aggressive riding dominated the entire first half of the stage where no one managed to create a serious break. Eventually, six riders broke clear and they worked up a gap of around three minutes before several different teams started to reel them back.

The breakaway was caught on the first of three local laps in Holstebro where a new front group was established including CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Mads Pedersen. They kept increasing the gap thundering towards the finish line where Lars Boom (Astana) was the fastest of the group.

19 year-old Mads Pedersen finished 4th after a thrilling, wet and fast stage with an average speed of 47 kilometers an hour.

Pedersen says:

"Everyone is always eager to get away and highly motivated to be a part of the break during a first stage in a stage race and that caused an intensely high speed all day but most significantly in the first hour. Normally, once the break is established, the peloton would sit up and start the chase later but not today. Entering the final loop, some of the race favorites jumped and I went with them. Unfortunately, Boom succeeded in breaking clear and I had to settle with fourth. Even though it's a good result, I'm in the race to win."