Riding with a hernia: it seems very unwise, but that is exactly what Mattias Skjelmose is currently doing in the Gree-Tour of Guangxi. The Dane is struggling (just like last year) with back issues, but was still called up by his team Lidl-Trek for the final WorldTour race of the season.
Skjelmose made a strong impression at the Road World Championships in Rwanda – just missing out on a medal – and then also finished seventh at the European Championships, but things went wrong in the Giro di Lombardia. "Early in the race, I started having problems with my back hernia again and so I had to abandon. That is a shame, because I was really looking forward to the Giro di Lombardia. It was my last big goal of 2023, but my body said no," he says in an interview with Cyclingnews.
Despite his physical problems, the Dane still had to prepare himself for the long trip to China for the Gree-Tour of Guangxi. However, Skjelmose’s expectations are not very high because of his hernia. "My back is still pretty fucked, so it’s a wait-and-see situation to find out what I’m capable of. Maybe I’ll hold on ten kilometers or perhaps I’m able to finish the race. We’ll see."
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
But why must Skjelmose – who managed to complete the first two stages successfully – still show up in China despite his physical setbacks? "I don’t know, it wasn’t my choice," he says with a smile. "It’s a decision made by the team. Normally it’s also a good opportunity to win a WorldTour race. That’s always a nice bonus."
The 25-year-old climber suspects it mainly has to do with the current standings in the UCI Team Ranking. Lidl-Trek still (mathematically) has a chance to overtake Visma | Lease a Bike. "Although that’s unlikely now, finishing second in the UCI ranking would mean a lot to us. I think that’s the reason."
Tensions?
Skjelmose also made headlines earlier this month. The climber reacted with surprise to the arrival of Juan Ayuso at Lidl-Trek. The Dane noted, among other things, that he was not informed by the team about the signing of the Spaniard. Skjelmose recently received the team’s trust as a GC contender, but according to him, the UAE rider’s transfer contradicts that promise. Ayuso, in turn, shows understanding for Skjelmose’s remarks.
