"I think I'm in a very good position": Mattias Skjelmose confident about winning the general classification of Étoile de Bessèges

Mattias Skjelmose conquered the stage 5 top climb finish in Étoile de Bessèges, Mount Le Bouquet climb. The Danish was able to be at the front group earlier in the stage and credits this victory to his Trek-Segafredo teammates.

"It was a pretty special day, It was full throttle from the start, "Mads (teammate Mads Pedersen, ed.) said to me: 'Calm down, stay with me.' We were a bit too far, but he took me to the left side of the road and drove me to the first group that way. Then Mads, Jacopo (Mosca, ed.) and Toms (Skujins, ed.) rode like crazy all day. I didn't have to do anything", Skjelmose said in the post race interview.

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On the last climb it was Neilson Powless of EF Education-EasyPost who did the first attack distancing himself from the others. Skjelmose would latter catch the American and beat him in the closing meters via sprint.

"Actually, I was hoping other riders would follow Powless. Because they didn't, the gap became too big to just close it. So I had to wait for a steep section, so I wouldn't take everyone with me. On this steep section I rode towards Powless in my own rhythm", he said.

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With this win, Skjelmose is now the leader of the general classification, 4 seconds ahead of Powless. Tomorrow will be an individual time trial who favours Skjelmose and the Trek-Segafredo rider is confident in the overall win.

"I think I'm in a very good position. After today, I am very motivated. I just want to get the job done, so I can pay the guys back for all their work.", he concluded.

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Mattias is giving Mads a real run for his money with this Incredible Hulk celebration 💪 Who did it better? 😂🤪 #EDB2023

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