Preview: Copenhagen Sprint

A New Danish Classic Debuts With Heavyweight Favorites and Record Stakes

This weekend marks the debut of the Copenhagen Sprint, a brand-new addition to the UCI WorldTour calendar. Born from the overwhelming success of the 2024 Grand Départ in Denmark’s capital, the race brings WorldTour sprinting back to Danish soil — and the local stars are ready to shine.

Pedersen Chases Danish History

Few riders will be more motivated than Mads Pedersen. The 2019 World Champion lines up as the home favorite, and a victory on the streets of Copenhagen would mark his 22nd win at the sport’s highest level. That would elevate him into elite Danish company:

Most Wins at Highest Level – Danish Riders¹

• 22 – Jonas Vingegaard

• 22 – Rolf Sørensen

• 21 – Mads Pedersen

• 13 – Magnus Cort

• 9 – Jakob Fuglsang

• 8 – Bjarne Riis

• 7 – Jesper Skibby

• 6 – Kim Andersen, Michael Rasmussen, Søren Kragh Andersen

• 5 – Kasper Asgreen

With the crowd on his side and a parcours suited to his power, Pedersen is not just racing to win — he’s racing to make history.

Kooij’s Numbers Defy His Age

But Mads Pedersen isn’t the only big name with something to prove. Dutch sprint sensation Olav Kooij comes to Copenhagen on the cusp of a milestone few have ever reached. A win this weekend would be career victory number 42 — and Kooij doesn’t turn 24 until October. Only seven riders in history have achieved 42 professional wins before their 24th birthday: