Professional cycling has certainly changed dramatically over the last decade. Bikes, kit–and nutrition. Former world champion Mads Pedersen used some, erm, colourful language to explain the shift, too, bless his heart. In an interview with Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet from a media day with Lidl-Trek, the Dane reflected on how today’s peloton is driven as much by spreadsheets and nutrition plans as by raw instinct and suffering.

Time have changed since he was a rookie

According to Pedersen, modern riders are no longer allowed to rely on feel alone. Everything is measured: power output, recovery, sleep—and especially food.

Where riders once survived on intuition and whatever they could stomach, today’s approach is hyper-controlled.

“Even since I turned professional [in 2017], cycling has changed completely. When you needed to lose weight back then, you went out to train with a bit of water on the bike, an energy bar, maybe a banana and a coffee halfway. That was enough. Now you eat like a motherfucker all day,” he said.

Nutrition, he explains, is no longer just about avoiding hunger. Riders are expected to consume precise amounts of carbohydrates before, during, and after races, often even when the body resists it. The 30-year-old pro says that they are basically eating all the time. It’s a system where performance margins are so small that skipping a gel can cost a result.

Modern methods for the best

“Cycling is completely different. You have to be so focused and serious. I never expected that, for sure,” he said.

Still, Pedersen is not blindly romantic about the past. He acknowledges that modern methods make riders stronger and more consistent across long seasons.

“To be honest, I don’t think about it that much. I’m happy with the situation I’m in now. I’m happy with the experiences I have from what it’s strange to call old cycling. I’m happy to be part of that journey,” he said.

On 2026

At the same time, he questions whether cycling has lost some of its simplicity. The sport, he suggests, has become more professional but also more exhausting mentally. There is less room for improvisation, fewer decisions left to the rider’s own judgment.

He recently told TNT sports that his goals remain firm for 2026–to be the best, even with superstars like Mathieu van der Poel and the seemingly unbeatable Tadej Pogačar in the way. “I’ve shown it’s possible to beat Mathieu. Tadej is a different story, but he’s a star of cycling — not just now, but forever,” he said.

The Danish superstar said he is aware that it’s a helluva challenge, but he isn’t giving up anytime soon. “Believe me, I try to find that last one per cent to beat these guys,” he said. “I’m the one working my ass off every day.”

This year, he will continue to give it his all to get that last little bit to bridge the gap.

“Everyone is arguing that I’m not on the same level. You know, honestly, I think they should shut their mouths,” Pedersen said. “Try working the same amount of hours I do on the bike.”