<\/p>\n
The crash immediately disrupted a carefully structured early-season build-up, with key February and March race blocks intended to lead into the Spring Classics.<\/p>\n
Why the wrist is the real concern<\/p>\n
While the severity of the crash is undeniable, Riis was clear that not all injuries pose the same long-term risk.<\/p>\n
He expressed little concern over the collarbone fracture, pointing instead to Pedersen\u2019s resilience and the predictable nature of recovery following surgery. \u201cA broken collarbone is serious in itself, but when it\u2019s operated on, it holds after a very short time. Then it\u2019s about being able to cope with the pain, and Mads is good at that,\u201d Riis said.<\/p>\n
The wrist injury, however, is where the uncertainty lies. \u201cIt depends on the wrist and how bad it is. He can, of course, sit on a stationary bike, but you can\u2019t do that for very long, because at some point you have to get out and ride the climbs that are required,\u201d he explained, referencing the demands of classics preparation.<\/p>\n
That distinction matters. While general fitness can be maintained indoors during recovery, the specificity required for races such as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix demands extended time on the road, repeated accelerations, and sustained load through the upper body, all of which place stress on the wrist.<\/p>\n
Spring ambitions under pressure<\/p>\n
Riis stopped short of declaring Pedersen\u2019s spring campaign lost, but his outlook on the early monuments was cautious. \u201cMilano-Sanremo will be difficult, so it\u2019s probably more Flanders and Roubaix that will suit him. But it\u2019s hard to say now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That assessment aligns with what is already known about Pedersen\u2019s injury timeline. Wrist fractures are notoriously variable in recovery, particularly for riders targeting cobbled races where constant vibration and repeated impacts are unavoidable. Even short delays in returning to full outdoor training can have knock-on effects for form and timing later in the spring.<\/p>\n