DENIA (Spain) – If just yesterday we talked about Mads pedersen as leader of the Lidl Trek, today we open this article like this which concerns Mattias Skjelmose. Listen to this. The Dane arrives at the conference and after a few questions we inevitably end up talking about his relationship with Juan AyusoWe journalists ask him how they'll share the lead, even in the Ardennes Classics. At that point, the blond boy makes a face with a question mark printed on it that you could almost touch. He stops and lets himself go: "Oh, Ayuso is going to the Ardennes? They told me I'd be the sole leader."
In short, it starts with a bang. The Spaniard's arrival was not welcomed very well by Skjelmose, who believed, looking ahead, that he would be the team's guiding light. Things don't seem to be off to a good start now. But in fairness, the rest of the conference went well. Hands outstretched on both sides and sharing slightly different spaces and programs. And the fact that things are going well between Lidl-Trek and Skjelmose is also confirmed by the fact that Mattias has extended his contract until 2028.
The relationship with Ayuso
Aside from that "disagreement," Mattias had some nice things to say about Ayuso. "We've been getting to know each other these days," Skjelmose said. I've spoken to him a few times. He's a good guy, and if I need anything, I'll be ready to help him.Here, Mattias's own words come to mind this summer: "If he didn't help Pogacar, I see it as unlikely that he will be able to help me or anyone else."
The two will have to work on their relationship. On the other hand, they'll complete much of the calendar together and will have the opportunity to get to know each other and learn how to run side by side.
«Juan – continued the Dane – It seems to me to be a nerd like me in terms of equipment, details and preparationI'm happy and I think we can mirror each other and help each other a lot. And to do that, we need to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. I think the best way to learn them is to compete together. Being teammates also means being more honestWith Juan we will share the leadership at Paris-Nice and to the Basque Country. Then we'll see..." This last sentence is cryptic. True, but it almost sounds like a warning.
The fact is that up to now, without a real “rival” in terms of technical characteristics, Skjelmose felt like a leader and, above all, a man worth investing in. Somehow he was pampered and secure. Now the balance has changed. Even within the team, where he had always been treated a certain way.
Giro d'Italia Idea
One of the things that pleasantly struck us about Skjelmose, and which says a lot about his ambitions, was the Tour of Italy that holds the top spot. "I would have liked to do the Giro “But the team decided differently,” Matias said. “It could have been an important goal for me, and I would have liked to be the leader, but I also understand the team's decision. They gave me an explanation. They support me, so I support them. So far, they've made really good decisions for me, and I think they'll continue to do so in the future.”
Skjelmose is a slow learner. He's not the kind of talent that emerges and wins right away. He's an excellent rider who has to get there gradually. A bit like Joao almeida, so to speak. In short, it's not Remco, it's not Pogacar, and maybe not even Ayuso.
Someone like that would have been a good fit at the Giro d'Italia, but evidently in the Giro d'Italia the team is focusing everything on sprints. Jonathan Milan and on the stage assaults. Skjelmose would have rightly brought a very different formation.In any case, for him there is the Return as a leader.
That Amstel…
We also talked about the his victory at the Amstel Gold Race, with a finish line that a young cyclist probably couldn't even dream of: first ahead of Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel.
«It was a very important moment for me – said Skjelmose – which gave me energy and confidence. It was a special and unexpected victory, without a doubt the most important result of my career. This shows that these champions can be beaten, but of course I have to run the perfect race on the perfect day and they have to make some mistakes. Otherwise it's very difficult."
This is an important awareness for the Dane, who knows full well that it won't be easy to repeat that success, or for someone like Pogacar to make two mistakes. But the important thing is to be there. His sporting director will be very close to him in this regard, Kim Andersen, and the new arrival on the staff Andy Schleich, someone who knows something about fighting with great champions.
Born worker
Skjelmose is a unique character. It was the first time we'd spoken in person. Attentive, even friendly, a man with clear ideas and modern methods. An incredibly meticulous person. Among the many we met in our Spanish raid, he seemed to be the fittest and the most fit. Matteo Sobrero, to be honest, but he's going to Australia, so it's fair to say he's already ahead.
Mattias is a lively boy, even if he may seem shy at first glance. He's a true worker. After several falls, he's suffered several problems, including a herniated disc in his back. He has to do specific exercises every day and never fails to do so. He prefers to avoid surgery: too many risks and uncertain recovery times.
He left Denmark and moved to Andorra. He says he's happy there: it has ideal training routes, climbs, and essentially always at altitude. After Paris-Nice, he'll be doing the altitude stuff at home. Larrazzabal tells us about a super meticulous, precise athlete who follows what he has to do to the letter. And he does nothing but confirm all this to us before leaving the room and giving other interviews.
