Skjelmose aims to build chemistry with Ayuso despite Ardennes leadership surprise

Mattias Skjelmose admitted he wasn’t initially aware that new teammate Juan Ayuso would also be in attendance at La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. “This is news to me. I was told I would be the sole leader in the Ardennes,” said Skjelmose to reporters in Denia on Friday.

Despite this, Skjelmose is looking to make the partnership with Juan Ayuso work as effectively as possible, and he believes that a key way to do this is by building good chemistry. This follows from initial comments that Skjelmose made about Ayuso's arrival, which the Dane feels were blown out of proportion. 

“We’ve only spoken twice since then, but I think he’s a nice guy. He’s a bit of a nerd like me about equipment and optimisation. I’m happy, and I think we can mirror ourselves in each other and use each other a lot,” said Skjelmose.

“We need to build a relationship, that’s for sure. To use each other, we also need to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, and I think you learn that best by racing together. Being teammates also means being more honest, which makes it easier to adapt our plan.”

Skjelmose, Ayuso as well as Mads Pedersen have been confirmed in Lidl-Trek’s provisional Tour squad for next summer, but the Dane will not ride the Giro due to the close proximity to his Ardennes targets.

“I wanted to do the Giro, but the team decided otherwise. As I said, I wanted to do the Ardennes, and that’s not very suitable with performing in GC in the Giro.”

Though the Dane did confirm that he will harbour some GC goals next season despite missing the Giro and supporting Ayuso at the Tour. “Normally, Juan and I will share leadership in both Paris-Nice and Pais Vasco [Itzulia Basque Country], and then take it from there.”

Sports director Kim Andersen revealed to Feltet.dk that Skjelmose is slated to lead the squad at the Vuelta a España in 2026, a race he has ridden once before, finishing fifth in 2024.

Rumours had also floated around that Skjelmose had signed a contract extension with the team, but the Dane confirmed that he hasn’t signed a new deal, and his current contract is set to expire at the end of 2026.

“For now, I haven’t extended anything,” said Skjelmose, who also illustrated his current contentment with the team. “I’m happy where I am. I’ve said a few times that I see this team as my family, and for now I can’t see myself riding anywhere else.”

Asked whether he would have liked to lead the team at the Tour de France, Skjelmose was both honest and diplomatic in his response. “I would like to be the leader, but I also understand the team’s decision… They gave me an explanation. They support me, so I support them.”

He added that discussions with coaches and sports directors continue to reaffirm his faith in the team. “Until now, it’s been really good decisions on my behalf, and I believe they’ll continue like this in the future.”

Skjelmose illustrated his understanding of Lidl-Trek's long-term ambitions of competing for victory at the Tour de France and the bigger picture. “Now it’s not about me. It’s about the team performing, podiuming the Tour or winning it in the future. I’m a brick in that puzzle,” said Skjelmose.

“If it’s going to be me, I’m going to be super happy, if it’s going to be Juan or a third guy, I’m also going to be happy, because that’s the project of the team. We want to be the next team to win the Tour de France,” added the Dane, who also referenced the dominance of three teams over the last decade, and the challenge that Lidl-Trek faces in breaking the mould.

“[Vincenzo] Nibali in 2014 was the last time a different team other than Ineos, Visma or UAE won the Tour, and we want to make it a fight for them. We know it's not going to happen now, or probably not next year, as long as Tadej and Jonas are there, but as soon as they have a downfall, we want to grab that opportunity or be right up there.”