Mattias Skjelmose's right-hand man extends at Lidl-Trek: "In the future I will ride more with Skjelly again"

Otto Vergaerde joined Lidl-Trek in 2022 and the Belgian rider will continue to wear the colours of American team at the very least through 2027. The 31-year-old rarely has a chance to race for his own result, but his leadership, tactical qualities and selfless work for teammates made him a valuable asset for one of the world's biggest teams. His cooperation with Mattias Skjelmose in particular seems to have been paying off.

"Since I joined the team, we have created many good memories. Juanpe (Juan Pedro Lopez, ed.) in the pink jersey and (Giulio) Ciccone, who won a stage at my first Giro - helping these guys through the Giro was really nice and felt like a step up in my career. In 2024, Mads (Pedersen) Van der Poel beat Gent-Wevelgem and I am proud of my small part in that," says Vergaerde, before continuing about Skjelmose.

"I also enjoyed racing with Skjelmose last year and this year, when we raced for classification goals, which started really well with his fifth place and the white jersey at the Vuelta. To fight for something over three weeks and actually achieve it was fantastic. It gives me motivation for my goals next year. "

"This year his victory in the Amstel Gold Race was incredible to be a part of. Winning such a classic as the Amstel and seeing Skjelly on the highest step next to Tadej (Pogacar) and Remco (Evenepoel) was an amazing feeling."

"In the future I will ride more with Skjelly again in the mountain and general classification races. I feel appreciated by the team for the work I do. Especially now I feel that Skjelly really appreciates my role, and I think he has missed this a bit in the past. "

"For the team and me personally, we are motivated to get on the podium in a Grand Tour. This is something we haven't done since I joined the team. It's an ambitious goal, but certainly achievable with the riders we have," says the Belgian.