He won the Amstel Gold Race on Sunday, but on Wednesday in the Flèche Wallonne, Mattias Skjelmose experienced a very challenging day. The Dane from Lidl-Trek crashed on the wet roads of Belgium. He tried to continue but had to abandon the race shortly afterward. This was bad news for both the Dane and Lidl-Trek ahead of Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday, although Skjelmose provided a reassuring update later in the afternoon. Ceriel Desal (Wagner Bazin WB) was the first to skid on the descent of the Côte de Cherave. Because the peloton was only twenty seconds behind the four remaining leaders, the pack quickly caught up with the Belgian rider, who had come to a standstill. At that moment, there was also a crash in the peloton, as several riders skidded at exactly the same point.
Skjelmose was seen lying on the ground, after which the Dane got back up. Not much later, we saw him back on his bike, but with that, the Amstel winner pulled a painful face. So, it was decided to take the Dane out of the race, with Lidl-Trek's hopes falling entirely on Thibau Nys. The Belgian eventually finished eighth,
far behind overall winner Tadej Pogacar.
In addition to Skjelmose,
Ilan van Wilder also crashed. The Belgian rider from Soudal Quick-Step seemed to be able to continue, but his team announced shortly afterward via
X that Van Wilder's race was over.
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Reassuring update from camp-Skjelmose
Later on Wednesday afternoon, there was reassuring news for the Danes and Lidl-Trek.
Skjelmose reportedly told Danish TV2 that he had 'only' suffered contusions, while the images suggested that the Dane may have broken his elbow. The doctor of the German-American team has therefore indicated that there are no concerns about Skjelmose's participation in Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday. Tomorrow, he plans a recon ride ahead of Sunday.