Skjelmose Calls Tour de France First Week His Best Ever

Danish cyclist Mattias Skjelmose is heading into the first rest day of the Tour de France with a positive outlook. The Lidl-Trek rider feels he has lived up to expectations as the team's plan B in the general classification. Despite an early setback with a defect during the team time trial in Barcelona, which cost him about 90 seconds, Skjelmose believes this has been his strongest opening week in a Grand Tour to date.

“

It has been good. I am of course annoyed about the minute and a half I lost in the team time trial. But otherwise, I think it has been a good week and probably the best first week I have ever had in a Grand Tour.

Currently sitting in ninth place overall, Skjelmose is performing well while supporting team captain Juan Ayuso, who holds fifth place. Skjelmose expressed satisfaction with his role and the team's current situation, looking forward to the final two weeks of the race. He also noted his preparedness for the heat, though he anticipates cooler temperatures next week.

“

I have grown well into the role and am happy with the situation we have ended up in. I look forward to the last two weeks.

On Sunday's stage, Skjelmose remained with the main peloton, watching a four-man breakaway successfully reach the finish line. This outcome prevented his teammate Mads Pedersen from contesting the sprint for the stage win, leaving him to finish sixth. Skjelmose acknowledged the mixed feelings, as the team had been in a strong position to aim for a stage victory.

“

I am also looking forward to it perhaps getting a little colder next week. But it has been okay. I have prepared well for the heat.