Former world champion Mads Pedersen has signed a deal to remain with Trek-Segafredo until the end of the 2025 season.

Pedersen, a native of Denmark, is in the midst of his third Tour de France and raced on his home roads in Denmark over the weekend. He joined the WorldTour in 2017 from Trek-Segafredo and has developed into one of the top riders in the team peloton, specializing in northern classics and sprints.

"This team gave me the chance to move on to the World Tour after two years at the Pro Conti level," Pedersen said Monday. This season will be my sixth year, and I'm going into my third more, and if I'm on the same team for nine years, that must be something special." [Trek always said they didn't want to be just colleagues, they wanted to be a big family. They are a second family to me and that is why I decided to stay."

The news that Pedersen had re-signed with Trek Segafredo was announced on social media with a humorous video of the 26-year-old "inking" himself with a tattoo showing his new contract date.

Pedersen has five wins this season, including a stage win in Paris-Nice, and has won Ghent-Wevelgem and Courne-Brussels-Coone during his Trek-Segafredo days.In 2019, although not in trade team colors, the Yorkshire rain-soaked road world title in a six-and-a-half-hour race, his best result to date.

"Extending my contract with Trek-Segafredo was a natural choice," Pedersen continued.

"Extending my contract with Trek-Segafredo was a natural choice.

"I work hard for this and I do everything I can. I am human and sometimes I make mistakes. Having the support and trust of my team in those moments is more important to me."

Trek Segafredo general manager Luca Guercilena praised Pedersen's "strong mentality" and said that keeping him on the team was an "important step" in the team's progress.

Pedersen's contract was through the end of 2022, but there seemed little danger of him moving on. He has now signed a long-term contract with fellow Classic leader Yasper Steiven, with the Belgian signing a deal last month.

"Aside from his obvious abilities as a cyclist, Mads brings a lot to the team. He cares about the people around him and boosts overall morale. Keeping him around for three more years is an important step in our progress."

"Since Mads first joined the team in 2017, he has immediately shown signs of potential; we have seen flashes of his brilliance every year, from the Tour of Flanders in 2018, to the World Championships in 2019, and Ghent-Wevelgem in 2020.

"Mads has had his share of bad luck, but his strong mentality has helped him regain focus after each setback. This year he has reached a new level of consistency while maintaining a very high level of excellence. Together with us, I am confident that we will see him winning more races."[23