Mads Pedersen wins first stage of Giro d'Italia as Mikel Landa crashes out
Danish rider Mads Pedersen won the first stage of the Giro d'Italia in a sprint finish to take the race's first Maglia Rosa.
The former world champion powered through a small group of favourites in Tirana after his Lidl-Trek team rode aggressively to significantly reduce the peloton. This pink jersey is the first time Pedersen has led a Grand Tour.
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However, the general classification (GC) competition was rocked with just over five kilometers to go when podium contender Mikel Landa crashed on a tight left-hander. UAE Team Emirates domestique Jay Vine was also caught up in the collision.
Vine recovered to finish the 164km stage but Landa, who was slated to lead Soudal Quick-Step, remained on the ground in agony. He was carried away from the crash site on a stretcher and has officially abandoned the race.
Landa only extended his contract with the team until the end of 2026 on Wednesday.
#ForzaMikel
Our rider has been taken to the hospital for investigations after the crash that put an end to his dreams at the #GirodItalia. https://t.co/7cgFC8xsH7
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) May 9, 2025
The first three stages of the Giro are taking place in Albania, with the first stage passing between the country's two largest cities, Durres and Tirana. Its bumpy route and Lidl-Trek's high pace meant Pedersen was the class of a 30-man bunch.
The 29-year-old had been a favourite for the stage, having performed well in the Spring Classics, winning Gent–Wevelgem in March.
'It was like you saw on TV,' Pedersen said after Stage One. 'That was exactly the plan. Ride hard and make it a small group.'
Visma Lease a Bike's Wout van Aert finished second, despite suffering from illness in the lead-up to the Giro. He could move into the race lead with a strong performance in Saturday's 13.7km time trial in Tirana.
GC favourites Primoz Roglic and Juan Ayuso finished safely in the leading group — though Ayuso had a minor fall earlier in the day — but hopefuls Derek Gee and Thymen Arensman lost significant time after surprisingly dropping on the day's final climb.
𝗡𝗢 𝗣𝗨𝗘𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗘𝗥 😨😨😨
Caída durísima de Mikel Landa cuando tan solo quedaban 5 kilómetros para el final de la etapa
Pinta feo, muy feo 🙏#GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/XZJQIEvBSu
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) May 9, 2025
(Photo of Mads Pedersen: Luca Bettini/AFP via Getty Images)
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