Mads Pedersen’s Trek Madone 9 Race Shop Limited for the 2018 Tour of FlandersJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The bike was equipped with a full Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 drivetrain, including the Shimano R9100-P power meterJosh Evans/Immediate Media
After more than 260 kilometres of racing the drivetrain was suitably dirtyJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The new Bontrager Aeolus XXX 6 wheels were paired with Vittoria Corsa Control tubular tyresJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The Madone comes with Trek’s proprietary braking systemJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The red frameset with white decals was complemented by the Danish flag of PedersenJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The team’s title sponsor decals adorn the head of the top tubeJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Pedersen opted for the integrated aero/stem cockpit system from Bontrager for the raceJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The team printed the race course details on the stem of the cockpit setup listing each section of kasseien and hellingenJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Pedersen used a Garmin Edge 520 computerJosh Evans/Immediate Media
A look at the Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 shift/brake leversJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Here you can see how the outer tread of the Vittoria tyres are in a file pattern to help grip on the cobblesJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Pedersen’s bidons were still in the cages from the finale of the raceJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Bontrager and Trek launched the new Aeolus XXX wheel range ahead of the Tour of FlandersJosh Evans/Immediate Media
A closer look at the hubs of the new wheelsJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Pedersen’s hard-fought second place is the most notable result of his young career so farJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The Trek Madone features an integrated aero flap for the front brake that reduces wind resistance and still allows movement via a springed hingeJosh Evans/Immediate Media
The front profile of the aero-specific bike is designed to cut through the airJosh Evans/Immediate Media
A look at the rear end and rear brake of Pedersen’s MadoneJosh Evans/Immediate Media
Niki Terpstra’s solo victory at the 2018 Tour of Flanders may have made the headlines, but 22-year-old Dane Mads Pedersen’s second place was as impressive and perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the 102nd edition of the race.
The run into the race finish in Oudenaarde begins at the top of the Paterberg and consists of long, exposed stretches of road. Pedersen’s gap to Terpstra stuck at around 30 seconds in this finale, but with only 15 seconds on the chasing group — including Peter Sagan and Greg Van Avermaet — Pedersen being caught initially seemed inevitable.
Racing aboard the aero-specific Trek Madone, Pedersen would have been grateful of his bike choice in the final run-in, using an integrated aero cockpit, deep carbon wheels and the frameset itself for maximum aerodynamic efficiency when it was needed most.
