Lidl-Trek rider Mattias Skjelmose was forced to withdraw from Paris-Nice following a dramatic crash on the Queen stage of the race. The Danish cyclist, who was in third place overall before the incident, collided with a traffic divider approximately 50 kilometers from the high-altitude finish in Auron, as snow and rain battered the riders.
The crash occurred during one of the most challenging stages of the race, which was eventually won by Michael Storer of Tudor Pro Cycling. Skjelmose’s fall left him with ripped shorts and a painful injury to his right thigh. Teammates, including Mads Pedersen, were quickly by his side, and he was subsequently wrapped in blankets and transported to the hospital.
An evening update from Lidl-Trek confirmed that Skjelmose did not sustain any fractures, though he required stitches for an elbow wound. The 24-year-old, who had been aiming for a podium finish, expressed his relief that the injuries were not more severe but acknowledged the setback.
“Cycling is a relentless sport. One day you feel great, the next everything can change in a split second,” Skjelmose wrote in a social media post. “The dream of a podium spot was snatched away from me when I crashed today with 50km to go. After some time in the hospital in Nice, I am now discharged. I’ve had stitches in my elbow, heavy blows to my right knee and hip, and an injury to my back.”
Skjelmose also reflected on the nature of the sport, emphasizing that overcoming such challenges is just as important as achieving victory. “But you have to remember that the battles to overcome setbacks are just as important as the victory itself,” he added.
He further confirmed that he would undergo additional medical checks upon his return home to Andorra.
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