Ayuso and Skjelmose future climbing super-duo? "You almost have to start with two leaders in the Tour de France"

Juan Ayuso is joining Lidl-Trek to be a leader, but he will not be a sole leader. The American team has been absolutely thriving in the sprinter and classics fields, however it also has its climbers which it looks to have satisfied including Mattias Skjelmose who is also on a long-term contract. But the team management believes having the two together is going to be an advantage, not a disadvantage.

"As I already told Mattias, it's a natural development on the part of the team. I believe in Mattias, and he believes in himself. We are ready to take on the challenge," team manager Kim Andersen told Feltet, adding that Ayuso will be part of this plan ultimately. "That means talking to him about it. Showing that we are also good, just as he is good."

The reasoning behind this is the current outlook on the Grand Tours, where the likes of UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Team Visma | Lease a Bike and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe (even more soon with the addition of Remco Evenepoel) starting the three-week races with multiple leaders or riders capable of finishing at the top of the standings.

Ayuso and Skjelmose together could provide much more of a competitive challenge than if either are alone in the mountains against the stacked teams they will face. "It's very, very difficult when you're all alone. So we see it as an advantage that there are two of us. You almost have to start with two leaders in the Tour de France. Just in case one of them drops out."

"Almost everyone has two in last place, and then they have to show who is the best. It would be easier if there were only one, but it's too risky," Andersen says. Next year Mattias Skjelmose is certain to race the Giro d'Italia with full backing, but with Jonathan Milan and Mads Pedersen also having their own ambitions (not to mention Giulio Ciccone, who is likely not focusing on GC anymore but is still a world class rider) then it becomes difficult to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and keep everyone happy.

With the rise of another super-team in Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, adding to the deep lineups of UAE Team Emirates - XRG and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the depth now created at Lidl-Trek may be the necessary factor when it comes to developing its chances of fighting for a podium or even victory in a Grand Tour.

"Together with Mattias, Ayuso is one of the few riders who will still be there when the two best (Vingegaard and Pogacar, ed.) are gone in a relatively short time. We mustn't forget that Ayuso is two years younger than Mattias," he points out. In future years, time can definitely play into the advantage of the Lidl-Trek riders, but currently it is still necessary to take a leap in quality in order to fight for the top result at Grand Tours.