Mattias Skjelmose got stronger as La Vuelta went on, signaling a *very* bright future
Mattias Skjelmose, just 23 years old, has grand tour ambitions, and to that end, he targeted La Vuelta a España for nearly a year. For the first time in his young career, he had the chance to lead Lidl-Trek’s general classification efforts at a three-week stage race.
He aced the test. As the stages ticked by, Skjelmose got better and better, climbing into the top 10 of the standings in Week 2, into the white jersey as the best young rider in Week 3, and into the top 5 overall with a blistering time trial on the final day of racing in Madrid.
“I cannot even imagine it. I’ve prepared for this race for 11 months,” Skjelmose said. “The main goal since September last year was this Vuelta, and to stand on the podium with the white jersey I didn’t even think of it. It’s really surreal.”
Mattias Skjelmose on the final podium in Madrid. | Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images
Skjelmose has proved his GC bona fides in the past, winning the prestigious Tour de Suisse in 2023, and taking top 5 at Paris-Nice (fourth), Itzulia Basque Country (third) and Tour de Suisse (third) this season. He had never been tasked with the pressure and challenge of racing for his best possible result at a grand tour before, however. He completed the 2022 Giro d’Italia and 2023 Tour de France, but had largely been riding in a support role with an eye on stage wins.
Skjelmose not only showed that he had the stamina for three weeks of racing, but that he could even take advantage of his wilting competitors. He moved within a shout of the then-white jersey leader Carlos Rodriguez on Stage 16, finishing just behind three of the final top four GC riders. He took the jersey for good on Stage 19, finishing third on the mountain top finish at Moncalvillo.
Skjelmose charging into the top 5 on Stage 21. | Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images
Then on Stage 21, the Danish time trial champion took eighth, 1’02” off the winner Stefan Küng, and 1’13” ahead of David Gaudu, who Skjelmose leapfrogged to finish in the top 5 overall.
“I don’t really know what to say. I think two weeks ago, it seemed really far away, both the finish of the Vuelta and this fifth place,” Skjelmose said. “And out of nowhere it’s right there. I didn’t really realize yet, I think. It’s just a dream and a goal I said a really long time ago.”
Lidl-Trek staff had a lot of faith in Skjelmose to put him in a grand tour leadership position. But no one has supported Skjelmose more than Kim Andersen, Lidl-Trek directeur sportif and Skjelmose’s longtime mentor. Andersen is a Danish cycling legend, and he has been by Skjelmose’s side for most of his major career milestones.
Skjelmose with his teammates before Stage 20. | Photo by Zac Williams
“Kim’s been with me since the beginning and always believed in me, and to have him behind me and speaking to me through the whole TT was incredible,” Skjelmose said. “I don’t know if he’s still alive, but I think he’s gonna be super happy.”
Andersen, famously gruff, cried when Skjelmose won the Tour de Suisse in 2023. As of press time, we have yet to confirm whether Skjelmose was able to induce waterworks a second time.
“I heard he didn’t even cry when his kids were born,” Skjelmose said, “so it would be special.”
