Deceased grandfather gives Mattias Skjelmosis the necessary strength
When he crossed the finish line, he could not cheer. Mattias Skjelmosis was not sure. Had he actually won? He had to tremble a few seconds until it was clear: the 24-year-old had triumphed at the Amstel Gold Race and thus celebrated his greatest success in a one-day race!
« I feel almost badly »: Luc Wirtgen gets help from Julian Alaphilippe
Above all, Skjelmosis had left well -known colleagues in the final of the first part of the Ardennes Week. World champion Tadej Pogacar (Slo/Emirates) and Olympic champion Remco Eveneoel (B/Soudal) had to be satisfied with the further podium.
After 255.9 km between Maastricht and Berg en Terblijt, the decision was made in the sprint of this trio. And only very few had put on ski liners, which was ultimately able to leave Pogacar Tophavorit a few centimeters and thus secured the second fastest amstel edition of the story (43.87 km/h).
I thought I would only see the other two on the horizon at the sprint.
Mattias Skjelmosis
It was also a surprise for Skjelmosis itself. « I really can’t believe that. I said Remco all the time. I just wanted to go to the podium, that would have been a great result. I thought I would only see the other two on the horizon at the sprint. I couldn’t believe that something was wrong here. I have no idea what happened then, » the winner of the Luxembourg Tour (2022) told.
Mattias Skjelmose (right) had the most reserves and won in front of Tadej Pogacar (M.) and Remco Evenepoel (left). Photo: Getty Images
The crying triumphant added: « That means a lot to me. I had a lot of bad luck this season. It was mentally super heavy. I lost my grandfather a little more than a month ago. I really wanted to devote him to victory. That is for him. »
Pogacar attacks too early
Everything had hung on a duel between Pogacar and Evenepoel before the start. But the time -running world champion, who impressively returned to the Flèche Brabançonne on Friday after a six -month break, initially missed Pogacar’s attack on the Gulperberg 47.5 kilometers before the finish line. At the side of Skjelmosis, evenfoel took the persecution – and eight kilometers before the finish the trio was actually again. Pogacar had left crucial grains on his attack and the subsequent solo ride in the headwind.
The decision should be made on the notorious Cauberg, which was the last of the 34 short climbs to be integrated into the final of the race. But the three competitors were lurking, let it arrive on the sprint, which Evenepoel finally opened.
Kevin Geniets was the only Luxemburger to finish the race. Photo: Getty Images
Already on Wednesday at the Flèche Wallonne and on Sunday at Liège-Bastogne-Liège there will be the next duels between the exceptional drivers Pogacar and Evenepoel. In Liège in the oldest classic, Pogacar (2021, 2024) and evenepoel (2022, 2023) each triumphed twice. Skjelmosis not yet. The Dane starts with plenty of self -confidence.
Kevin Geniets Best Luxemburger
In a very fast Amstel edition, in which there were numerous falls, Kevin Geniets ranked 43. He was involved in a harmless fall early in the race. Subsequently, Luxembourg’s national champion drove up to around 40 kilometers before the finish in the small peloton of the top favorites. When the top drivers made serious, Geniets had to fit. His team can be satisfied. Romain Grégoire (F) became a good seventh. You will have been less happy with Team Tudor Pro Cycling. Julian Alaphilippe (f) encouraged the action for a short time, but 20th place does not correspond to its own ambitions. Luc Wirtgen did not finish the race. This also applies to Ineos professional Bob Jungels.
