The Danish Olympic Committee has announced the three athletes selected for this year's Paris Olympics, naming Riddle Trek's Mads Pedersen and Matthias Schermose to be part of the four-person team that will compete in the road race.
The team, chosen by the Danish Cycling Union (DCU), will also include Astana Kazakhstan lead-out man Mikhail Morkov. Not only does he have the skills to lead sprinters to victory, but he also plans to compete in bicycle track competitions. Events – Olympic-specific elements that significantly limit the number of athletes who can participate in each sport.
As a result, the remaining spot for the men's team will be decided by July.
Jonas Vindegaard, who has expressed an interest in riding after earning most of the points to qualify for Paris in Denmark, crashed on the fourth stage in the Itzria Basque Country this week, leaving him with broken ribs and a punctured lung. He was seriously injured and suffered a major setback. His collarbone was broken.
“I told Anders [Lund] Have an interest in horseback riding. However, he explained to me that even if I wanted to, I was not sure if I would be selected. I completely understand that,” Vinzigaard said in November.
In making this choice, national team coach Anders Lund considered a road route that had a short but steep cobblestone climb and had the feel of a spring classic.
“I visited Paris last week to inspect the route and was completely shocked,” Lund said in a DCU press release. “The last lap in Paris has a lot of narrow roads and a cobbled climb up to Montmartre just before the finish. That route is very good for Mats and I consider him one of my absolute favorites for the race. .”
Shelmosse, who currently leads the Itzria Basque Country after five stages, is in the midst of a breakthrough season, having finished fourth and won a stage at Paris-Nice.
“Matthias is always growing,” Lund said. “He is good in stage races, but he has also performed very well in tough one-day races, especially in the last two World Championships. He has to help Mads, but Mattias also , help Mads by becoming a threat to Mads.'' In the finals, the other countries are the favorites to win.
“In addition to excelling in road races, Matthias can also compete with the best athletes in the world in time trials. Early selection will allow Matthias to optimally prepare and be in top condition for the Olympics. You can face it.”
Morkov won the Tokyo Olympics as Madison with Norman Lasse-Less, and was originally scheduled to reprise the role in Paris. However, for this year's Olympics, the number of riders allowed on the track has been reduced. In order to retain all of Team Pursuit and Omnium's key riders and allow teams to form in Madison, Morkov is officially entered as a road cyclist that the track team can “borrow” in Madison. rule.
“Michael's selection was made taking into account the Danes' Olympic medal ambitions across the cycling disciplines. Having said that, Michael also has very good skills on the road, and in Paris We will benefit from that,” Lund said.
“In the last three road race championships, Michael has provided exemplary support for the Danish national team. Michael's wealth of experience and unique ability to gently steer the captain through long road races will undoubtedly It will be valuable for Mads Pedersen's medal chances.''We are dreaming. ”
The fourth and final rider for the men's road race will be selected in early June. In addition to four spots in the road race, Denmark also secured two spots in the time trial. These two people must be chosen from among the four people lining up for the road race.
