The Dane took off out of the breakaway with just over a lap of the finishing circuit left to ride in the hilly 187-kilometer stage from Marotta-Mondolfo to Mombaroccio. Only Julian Alaphilippe could follow him. When the two hit the base of the final climb, Michael attacked again and immediately opened up a gap. As the GC favorites launched their attacks from the peloton behind, Michael hung tough, grinding up horrendous slopes to the summit at the Santuario Beato Sante, which he cleared with a slight advantage. Michael was on a mission. After a winter at home in Denmark with his family and new son, no one was going to stop him. He hurtled down the descent to take his first victory since 2021.

“It’s unbelievable,” Michael said after celebrating with his teammates at the finish line. “We all worked so hard for this. I had a really good winter at home with all my family and they supported me and the team supported me. We just had a baby one month ago so it’s for them, it’s for the team. For me, I’m speechless.” 

This is Michael’s first win since his comeback from a career threatening injury in 2022. It’s taken years of hard work and determination. Now, the former Amstel Gold Race and Omloop Nieuwsblad winner has well and truly proved that he is back to his best.

“I felt I had good legs all day so I wanted to make an early attack,” Michael said. “Julian came with me. We worked well together and in the end. It was such a hard day, pushing all day. I just had amazing legs and the luck.”

You made your own luck, Michael. Congratulations. The whole team is so proud of you!