Trek-Segafredo's Mads Pedersen said he is ready to race when competition resumes and that his ultimate goal is to win Paris-Roubaix when it resumes.

In a Q&A session on the Trek-Segafredo team's Facebook page from his home in Denmark on Tuesday, Pedersen, who became world road race champion in Yorkshire, England, last September, said both the Tour de Flanders, where he finished second in 2018, and Paris 〜˜Roubaix were both held earlier this month due to the coronavirus outbreak, which he said was unfortunate.

"I love the classics and was especially looking forward to Roubaix, but now there are more important things than racing and showing off the jersey," Pedersen said.

The 24-year-old Pedersen has worn the rainbow jersey for only 16 days this season, in addition to wearing it at the Tour de Euro-Metropole, Tre Valli Varesine, and Milan-Torino late last season.

"Ten years from now, no one will remember how many races I ran in the jersey. They won't be crying at home or thinking about how many races they ran wearing the jersey."

Organizers of the 2020 UCI Road World Championships have already announced that the event will take place as scheduled in Aigle and Martigny, Switzerland, from September 20-27, with a hilly men's road race on the final day.

Would Pedersen be happy if the event did not take place and he ended up spending more time as world champion?

"Honestly, no," he replied, "because it would be very bad for cycling if I didn't compete in the World Championships. 'So I hope I do make it to the World Championships. But I don't think I can because the course is very hilly."

More important than the World Championships being held is that the Tour de France be held in some form.

"Although the French government seems to have said no to hosting the Tour on its planned dates (June 27-July 19), I still think it will happen. I think it's important for cycling and all the teams that the Tour is still going to happen. It's a big three weeks for the teams and sponsors, so I hope the UCI and (Tour organizer) ASO can make it happen and at least get us in the Tour."

Pedersen, who has ridden the Tour Down Under, the Cadere Evans Great Ocean Road Race, the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the Coone Brussel-Coone, and Paris-Nice so far this season, said that the spring classics, which have now been canceled He was confident that he was ready. However, he said he would be fully focused on Paris-Roubaix, which could be held in September or October.

"If we know when Roubaix will be held, that will be a big goal. Whoever wins it will be historic. It will probably be the only Roubaix that will be held at that time of year, so it will be special when it is won."

"Whenever I'm ready to race again, I'll be ready. I'm ready to race again. A big effort in training and I will be back in good shape."

"I think the season will be saved," Pedersen added. It's a new situation, not only for me as a rider, but also for the fans, and I'm sure the UCI and the teams will come up with a new race calendar. And I think it will be a really great end of the year with a lot of important races. There will be a lot of big races in a short period of time, so it will be interesting for everyone."