There was absolutely nothing rotten for Pier-Andr\u00e9 C\u00f4t\u00e9 in Denmark. C\u00f4t\u00e9 arrived at the 2026 Tour of Denmark unsure of exactly where his form stood. He\u2019d raced the five-day stage race before, but he started it with some question marks.<\/p>\n
The NSN Cycling rider had started the season well before an illness derailed his spring and early summer. That forced him away from racing and training for more than a month, which is less than ideal, to say the least, for any pro cyclist. After rebuilding with a strong block following the Canadian championships, C\u00f4t\u00e9 was hoping to contribute as a key support rider. But not necessarily challenge for the general classification. (Btw C\u00f4t\u00e9, a former national champ on both the road and the TT, had a solid weekend in Saint Georges, finishing third in the time trial, and sixth in the road race.)
Legs feeling good<\/p>\n
As the race unfolded, the Gasp\u00e9, Que., rider realized he had more than just a team role to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was heading into the race quite positive about where I was, but mostly thinking I was going to be a solid key support rider for a guy like Riley Sheehan,\u201d C\u00f4t\u00e9 said. \u201cI had the okay from the team to be aggressive on Thursday because a harder race suited our team composition pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stage 1: Good legs, tough day<\/p>\n
That opening stage proved to be the turning point. With crosswinds, echelons and a punchy circuit creating chaos throughout the day, C\u00f4t\u00e9 found himself in the right position at the right time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really stressful race, lots of echelon, lots of crosswinds,\u201d he said. \u201cJust heads-up racing all day.\u201d
As the day went on, C\u00f4t\u00e9 noticed his legs were responding. Des bonnes sensations, as the pros say.<\/p>\n
\u201cI slowly realized that I was feeling really good in the race. I was able to put myself in the right spots in the crosswinds, paying with my legs quite often, just being able to put myself in position.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the final circuit, C\u00f4t\u00e9 made the decisive move over a selective climb, bridging across to a small group. The move put him squarely in the GC fight. The result gave him valuable seconds heading into the following stages.<\/p>\n
The brutal third stage of racing at the Tour of Denmark<\/p>\n
The third stage was the biggest test. For C\u00f4t\u00e9, it was confirmation that his performance was no fluke. He continued to be in the mix, and consistent.<\/p>\n
\u201cDay three was the GC day, an incredibly hard day, but it was super positive because I ended up in the group of 10 at the front that just went away, just with legs,\u201d he said. \u201cThe first day I was opportunistic and did the right move, but the third day was the confirmation that I was amongst the 10 strongest guys in the race.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final two stages were about defending his position. With sprint bonuses still capable of changing the standings, NSN Cycling focused on protecting C\u00f4t\u00e9\u2019s place while also supporting Sheehan in the finales.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a guy from Unibet that was a second behind me, so we just had to make sure that guy didn\u2019t get seconds,\u201d C\u00f4t\u00e9 said.<\/p>\n
The result was a fifth-place overall finish in an impressive field.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think it is my best Euro GC result,\u201d he said. \u201cI think I\u2019ve been fifth in a .1 race before, but as far as pro races go, this is the highest yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was also a meaningful result after a frustrating period away from racing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m hoping that\u2019s just another good step in the right direction, and I can ride GC more often and be up there in the next couple months.\u201d<\/p>\n