PostNord Danmark Rundt – Tour of Denmark 2023
It is time for the annual race in my home country and I must say, I really like the stages.
Stage 1
If you’ve seen the Danish Nationals the last two years, you will know some of the circuit in Aalborg as it features Skovbakkevej which is steep and Nordtoft. We could see the pure sprinters struggle to hold on.
Stage 2
Ends in Silkeborg where we have another circuit with a climb of 1000m at 5.7%. We could see a late attack, otherwise, it is for the sprinters.
Stage 3
This is the classic Vejle-stage where we often see big gaps in the GC. Kiddesvej is probably the toughest climb we have in Denmark – or one of them. It may only be 340m but at 12.2% and they do it four times. It is the longest and hardest day.
Stage 4
From Kalundborg on the western part of Zealand to the suburbs of Copenhagen. This one is for the sprinters.
Stage 5
The race ends with a time trial in Helsingør. It often has a big impact on the GC.
Weather
The riders are lucky, the weather looks good for the upcoming week.
Contenders
Mads Pedersen – starts as the favorite if you ask me. He has the time trial, he has the sprint and he is very good at criterium-style racing which we will see the first three days in Jutland. He was extremely strong at Worlds and he tends to only grow stronger when others grow tired.
Skjelmose – second option for the team and a very strong one. He has had a fantastic year and his result at Worlds didn’t do him justice. It will be interesting to see how how the decide to play their two cards.
Skujins – and a third option. He is going very well just now, good enough to fight for a top-10.
Marijn Van den Berg – not the best against the clock and not the worst. We have three difficult stages where I see him being able to fight for bonus seconds. He is a gifted climber and he is very quick on the line.
Cort – or do they ride for Magnus Cort? He has fond memories of this race, it was here he took his first professional win. I think he has looked a bit too tired to contest for the highest spot on the podium.
SKA – he is extremely difficult to predict but every time he lines up in Denmark, he tends to bring a result home with him. He was fourth here in 2022, he will hope to do so again.
Van Moer – it should be a race that suits him and he will be one of the best against the clock on the last day.
Casper Pedersen – hear me out. He will be helping Jakobsen in the sprints but I do not think he should solely ride for Vansevenant the other stages. He is good against the clock, he is a very good crit-racer and he is fast from a small group. Hopefully, he is fit again after a broken collarbone.
Vansevenant – should provide Quick-Step with an offensive option. He will have to as he is not the best against the clock.
Wærenskjold – for a rider of his size, he climbs well and he is very good against the clock.
Stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Pedersen
⭐⭐⭐ Skjelmose, SKA
⭐⭐ Van Moer, Skuijns, Vansevenant
⭐ Wærenskjold, Pedersen, Cort, Marijn Van den Berg
Who will win?
We may even see Lidl-Trek sweep the podium! I will take a win for Mads Pedersen.
