'I found out without the team having told me' - Skjelmose blindsided by Ayuso's Lidl-Trek move

"It was a bit of a strange situation. I found out about it quite early on, without the team having told me. I think that was a bit strange. But yes, it will be exciting. A new challenge," Skjelmose told TV2.

The signing of Juan Ayuso on a contract until 2030 boosts the GC ranks of Lidl-Trek, with Skjelmose currently one of the top riders in that department within the team. Though it raises questions about the team’s hierarchy with Skjelmose leading the team at the Tour de France in the summer, the Dane has admitted he is uncertain about how the two will coexist as leaders.

"I'm going by what the team has told me. They have told me that it is me they believe in. I don't know how it is connected that Ayuso has come in. They have told me for a couple of years now that they want to build a team around me. But I don't think they have brought him in as a support rider. Now we'll see what happens," said Skjelmose.

The Danish rider pointedly suggested his Tour de France participation might be in question when asked if he would accept a helper role for Ayuso.

"It's possible that I won't be riding the Tour," he said with a smile. "I don't know. We'll have to look into it when we get to that time. There's a long time until the Tour."

Skjelmose also referenced Ayuso's reputation at UAE Team Emirates, where the Spaniard faced criticism for prioritising his own ambitions over supporting team leaders Tadej Pogacar and João Almeida.

"I don't know. We have the same goals. If he has a little difficulty helping Tadej, then I don't know if he wants to help me in any way, if it comes down to it. But it could also be that he just hasn't had a good time at UAE. I don't really know him, so of course I don't know what happened on that team. I hope we can use each other," Skjelmose explained.

Lidl-Trek sports director Kim Andersen, however, sees the dual-leader approach as beneficial and necessary for a team with heightened ambitions in Grand Tours, having proven to be one of the best in the sprinting and classics department in recent years.

"As I have said to Mattias, it is a natural development on the part of the team. I believe in Mattias, and he believes in himself. We are ready to take on the challenge," Andersen told Feltet.

"It is very, very difficult when you are all alone. So we see it as an advantage that there are two of us. You almost have to start with two leaders in a Tour de France. In the event that one drops out,” said Andersen

Andersen also highlighted the youth of both riders, with Ayuso at 23 and Skjelmose having just turned 25, positioning them for future success.

"Together with Mattias, he is one of the few riders who will be there when, in a relatively short time, the two best are gone [Vingegaard and Pogacar]. It should not be forgotten that Ayuso is two years younger than Mattias."