Mauro Schmid aims to race for victory in Amstel Gold Race in two weeks

Mauro Schmid was beaten by Tibor Del Grosso in the NXT Classic on Saturday but received confirmation that his form is currently good. In just under two weeks, the 26-year-old Swiss rider will start the Ardennes block, where Schmid hopes to make a strong impression and even contest the victory in the Amstel Gold Race.

So far, 2026 is shaping up to be a top year for Schmid. Second at the Tour Down Under, winning the Muscat Classic, and a stage victory in the Tour of Oman, followed last week by a stage win and the overall title at the Coppi e Bartali Cycling Week. It’s a shame he just missed out on winning in Limburg on Saturday, but it’s nothing more than that.

“I think I can be happy with how the team managed today and how strong my legs felt in the last sixty kilometers. I was actually surprised at how easily Tibor and I rode away. On the Schilberg, no one wanted to follow, but even when I stopped pulling, we still had a gap. Then I said to Tibor: now we have to try. In the end, we worked well together until the finish. At the line, I did make a mistake by not taking the corner first, but it was a good test ahead of the Ardennes.”

“Racing in the Netherlands is very different with all the fast roads, so it was good to get into the rhythm early, and I’m happy to be able to maintain my good form. The Amstel Gold Race will be very tough. For me, it is really the hardest race of the year, but I hope to race for the win if I can take another step forward. Last year I was already well placed in a group with Michael Matthews,” he concludes.