Lidl-Trek’s ambitions at the Tour de France received a significant boost when Mattias Skjelmose finished third in the Stage 16 individual time trial.
Only world time trial champion Remco Evenepoel and race leader Tadej Pogačar completed the demanding 26.1-kilometre course between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains faster.
According to CyclingNews’ Stage 16 report, Skjelmose finished one minute and four seconds behind Evenepoel. The performance moved him into sixth place overall, directly behind teammate Juan Ayuso.
Skjelmose delivers career-best performance
Skjelmose attacked the course aggressively, taking risks on the opening climb before negotiating a technical descent and the fast final section.
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“I’m super happy. I rode the time trial of my life,” Skjelmose was quoted as saying by Domestique’s account of the stage.
The result provided further evidence that Skjelmose is developing into a serious Grand Tour contender. His victory at the 2025 Amstel Gold Race had already demonstrated his strength in one-day racing, but producing a similar level deep into the Tour represented a different test.
For Lidl-Trek deputy general manager Andy Schleck, the performance confirmed the progress Skjelmose has made.
“I believe he is in the best form of his life,” Schleck told TV 2 Sport.
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Schleck also described the time trial as an important moment in Skjelmose’s career, arguing that competing with the world’s leading riders offered a form of validation that training data could never provide.
Lidl-Trek gain two tactical options
With Ayuso fifth and Skjelmose sixth overall after the time trial, Lidl-Trek have emerged as one of the most intriguing teams heading into the final mountains.
Ayuso entered the race with greater Grand Tour experience, but Skjelmose’s result has given the team another rider capable of influencing the podium battle. That creates tactical possibilities, particularly if rival teams are forced to respond to attacks from both riders.
Schleck said Lidl-Trek had little reason to race defensively and would continue to search for opportunities before Paris.
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Although Schleck was initially described as the team’s CEO, he was still serving as deputy general manager during the Tour. According to Domestique’s report on Lidl-Trek’s management changes, the former Tour winner is due to take over as CEO after the race.
Three Alpine tests remain
The final mountain block begins with Stage 18 from Voiron to Orcières-Merlette. According to Tour Magazin’s stage preview, the 185.2-kilometre route includes approximately 3,900 metres of climbing.
That is followed by two consecutive summit finishes at Alpe d’Huez. According to CyclingNews’ stage-by-stage route guide, Stage 19 approaches the famous climb from Gap, while Stage 20 reaches Alpe d’Huez after a brutal route featuring the Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier and Col de Sarenne.
Pogačar and Evenepoel remain the race’s dominant figures, but Lidl-Trek now have two riders capable of applying pressure further down the general classification. Skjelmose’s time trial has transformed the team’s position from an outside challenge into a genuine tactical threat.
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