Skjelmose and Ayuso 'clear the air' during first meeting
The Danish cycling star and Spanish newcomer have reconciled after initial tension over transfer communications, according to Lidl-Trek sports director Kim Andersen.
Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso have put their public disagreement behind them, according to Lidl-Trek sports director Kim Andersen. Skjelmose had expressed surprise when Ayuso's transfer to the team was announced in September.
"Yes, they have," Andersen told Feltet when asked if the pair had cleared the air.
The team's two GC leaders had the opportunity to meet face-to-face during Lidl-Trek's first gathering of the new season last week in Germany. It was Ayuso's first engagement with the team following his divorce from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, which was announced during the Vuelta a España.
"He has been received very, very well," Andersen said of Ayuso.
The controversy began when Skjelmose publicly expressed surprise about Ayuso's signing and the fact that he had not been informed beforehand by the team. Ayuso rider subsequently responded to these comments through the media, creating the possibility of internecine tension before they had even become teammates.
Andersen admitted the situation wasn't handled optimally but he insisted that any issues have now been resolved.
"It was put together in such a way that something was picked from one place and something from another place, and some of it was poorly translated into English, and then it became a mess that ended up being not very smart. But we have started anew, and it is very positive," said Andersen, who told Domestique at the Tour of Guangxi that the arrival of Ayuso was in keeping with the overall objectives of the team and that it changed little about Skjelmose's status.
When asked if the riders are now on good terms, Andersen was emphatic: "Of course they are. There is no reason to be anything else. None of them knew each other. They have been competitors until now, but that's how professional sports is. You are competitors until you are teammates. And it's about being able to adapt. It will be very exciting."
Despite the reconciliation, fans eager to see how the two stars might work together will have to wait for more details. No plans have yet been made for the 2026 season during the team gathering in Germany, so Andersen could not reveal whether Ayuso and Skjelmose will race together in Grand Tours or elseswhere next season.
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