"The next step for him will be to go for the podium in the Giro d'Italia" - Michael Rasmussen plans out Mattias Skjelmose's next career moves

Mattias Skjelmose was one of the breakthrough stars of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana. Attempting to ride for the general classification at a Grand Tour for the first time, the Lidl-Trek rider took home the White Jersey of Best Young Rider and finished 5th overall in an impressive display.

One of those impressed by Skjelmose's performance, was Danish compatriot and four time Tour de France stage winner, Michael Rasmussen. "I had tipped him for a position between six and ten, but there were some circumstances that went his way," assessed the 50-year-old in his analysis for Ekstra Bladet post-Vuelta a Espana.

"No one had predicted Mikel Landa to screw up and lose three minutes on a stage. And no one had foreseen a top eight without UAE Team Emirates riders either," continues Rasmussen, explaining how circumstances fell nicely for Skjelmose as the Vuelta a Espana went on. "Then Skjelmose was favoured by the fact that Florian Lipowitz had another agenda to ride for Primoz Roglic. But having said that, you don't finish fifth in the Vuelta without having ridden consistently and well. Along the way he has delivered some of his best bike racing ever - on the Alto de Moncalvillo he rides right up with David Gaudu and is only beaten by Primoz Roglic. In my eyes, that's better than winning the Tour de Suisse.”

Rasmussen also has a plan in mind for Skjelmose next season as the 23-year-old Dane continues to develop as a Grand Tour rider. “He was in trouble on the stage to Granada and lost a lot of time, and that can cause some issues in relation to how he will get through three weeks in France in July,” Rasmussen notes, providing a different option. “Weather-wise, the Giro d'Italia probably suits him better. It can be much cooler there. So maybe the next step for him should be to go for the podium in the Giro d'Italia. After Tadej Pogacar, they weren't exactly phenomenal this year."

"The Tour de France is a whole different ball game. When Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard roll out, they ride fast all the way to the top. But he has to try it - because the Vuelta is just a backup. It was for Roglic, who won relatively easily anyway," Rasmussen concludes. "It makes sense to test himself in the Tour now that he has shown he can last three weeks. But it may be that it will be difficult within the team. Because Giulio Ciccone and Tao Geoghegan Hart have that too."