Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (born 26 September 2000) is a Danish professional cyclist who rides for
UCI WorldTeam
A UCI WorldTeam (2015–present), previously UCI ProTeam (2005–2014), is the term used by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to name a cycling team of the highest category in professional road bicycle racing, road cycling, the UCI World Tou ...
.
A promising youth rider, Skjelmose finished in top positions in junior categories of major races, and won the
Tour du Pays de Vaud in 2018. Shortly after, he had a setback after receiving a ten-month suspension due to a doping test revealing traces of the performance-enhancing drugs originating from dietary supplements. He returned to racing in 2019, and initially joined
UCI Continental
The UCI Continental Circuits are a series of road bicycle racing competitions which were introduced in 2005 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to expand cycling around the world. The five circuits (representing the continents of Africa, the ...
team
Leopard TOGT Pro Cycling before turning professional in 2021 with
UCI WorldTeam
A UCI WorldTeam (2015–present), previously UCI ProTeam (2005–2014), is the term used by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to name a cycling team of the highest category in professional road bicycle racing, road cycling, the UCI World Tou ...
Trek-Segafredo, after riding for the latter as a stagiare since 2020. He experienced a major breakthrough in 2023, finishing second behind
Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogačar (; born 21 September 1998) is a Slovenia, Slovenian professional road bicycle racing, cyclist who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam . His victories include three Tour de France, Tours de France (2020 Tour de France, 2020, 2021 Tou ...
in
La Flèche Wallonne
La Flèche Wallonne (, French for "The Walloon Arrow") is a men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Wallonia, Belgium. It is part of the UCI World Tour.
The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is ...
, and winning the
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse () is an annual road cycling stage race. Raced over eight days, the event covers two weekends in June, and along with the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is considered a proving ground for the Tour de France, which is on the calend ...
. In 2025, he won the
Amstel Gold Race.
Career
Junior career
Skjelmose was born in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
, Denmark, and grew up on
Amager
Amager ( ), located in the Øresund, is Denmark's most densely populated island, with more than 216,000 inhabitants (January 2022). The protected natural area of ''Naturpark Amager'' (including Kalvebod Fælled) makes up more than one-third of the ...
. He started cycling at local club Amager Cykle Ring, where he rode between 2012 and 2016.
Skjelmose finished second at the 2017
Danish National Road Race Championships junior category. At the
Peace Race Juniors in 2018, he finished second behind
Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel (; born 25 January 2000) is a Belgian professional cyclist and Olympic gold medalist who rides for UCI WorldTeam .
Evenepoel is widely regarded as one of the best Individual time trial, time trialists of his generation; he is a t ...
. The same year he finished third at the
Paris–Roubaix Juniors. On 26 May 2018, Skjelmose won an
individual time trial
An individual time trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock (in French: ''contre la montre'' – literally "against the watch", in Italian: ''tappa a cronometro'' "stopwatch stage"). There are also trac ...
in the
Tour du Pays de Vaud, and later that same day, he also finished 22nd in a regular road stage. The following day, he concluded by winning the overall classification of the Swiss junior stage race.
2018 doping case
On 26 May 2018, during the
Tour du Pays de Vaud, a doping test conducted on Skjelmose revealed traces of the substance
methylhexanamine
Methylhexanamine (also known as methylhexamine, 1,3-dimethylamylamine, 1,3-DMAA, dimethylamylamine, and DMAA; trade names Forthane and Geranamine) is an indirect sympathomimetic drug invented and developed by Eli Lilly and Company and marketed ...
, a performance-enhancing drug prohibited during competitions. He claims that it originated from one of the dietary supplements he had taken.
After the case was processed by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF), he was sentenced to a ten-month suspension by the
Union Cycliste Internationale
The Union Cycliste Internationale (; UCI; ) is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland.
The UCI issues racing licenses to riders and enforces di ...
(UCI) for violating anti-doping regulations. He initiated the suspension on 7 July 2018, and the suspension lasted until 6 May 2019. Skjelmose was only 17 years old at the time of the positive doping test. Therefore, the Danish Cycling Federation (DCU) did not expect to see his name or the verdict in the media, as they had previously been informed by the UCI that the verdict would not be made public.
Professional career
In 2020, Skjelmose initially joined the
UCI Continental
The UCI Continental Circuits are a series of road bicycle racing competitions which were introduced in 2005 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to expand cycling around the world. The five circuits (representing the continents of Africa, the ...
team
Leopard TOGT Pro Cycling in the senior category and later became a trainee for the
UCI WorldTeam
A UCI WorldTeam (2015–present), previously UCI ProTeam (2005–2014), is the term used by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to name a cycling team of the highest category in professional road bicycle racing, road cycling, the UCI World Tou ...
Trek-Segafredo towards the end of the season.
He was subsequently offered a professional contract for the seasons starting in 2021.
In his first season with Trek, he finished sixth overall in the
UAE Tour, a
UCI World Tour
The UCI WorldTour is the premier men's elite road cycling tour, sitting above the UCI ProSeries and various regional UCI Continental Circuits. It refers to both the tour of 38 events and, until 2019, an annual ranking system based upon perfor ...
stage race. In the
Tour of Norway, he finished seventh in the general classification and won the young rider classification. At the beginning of the 2022 season, he finished second on the final stage of the
Tour de la Provence, a mountain finish, which propelled him to third place overall and earned him the title of the best young rider. That same season, he selected for his first
Grand Tour, as he was named in the startlist for the
Giro d'Italia
The Giro d'Italia (; ), also known simply as the Giro, is an annual stage race, multiple-stage bicycle racing, bicycle race primarily held in Italy, while also starting in, or passing through, other countries. The first race was organized in 19 ...
. He achieved his first pro victories in the
Tour de Luxembourg
The Tour de Luxembourg is an annual stage race in professional road bicycle racing held in Luxembourg. The Tour de Luxembourg is classified as a UCI race classifications, 2.Pro race, the highest rating below the UCI World Tour, World Tour, by the ...
, where he won a stage and the overall classification.
2023
On 19 April 2023, Skjelmose finished in second place at
La Flèche Wallonne
La Flèche Wallonne (, French for "The Walloon Arrow") is a men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Wallonia, Belgium. It is part of the UCI World Tour.
The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is ...
, at the top of the
Mur de Huy, just behind
Tadej Pogačar
Tadej Pogačar (; born 21 September 1998) is a Slovenia, Slovenian professional road bicycle racing, cyclist who currently rides for UCI WorldTeam . His victories include three Tour de France, Tours de France (2020 Tour de France, 2020, 2021 Tou ...
. In June 2023, he achieved his first victories in a UCI World Tour event by winning stage 3 in
Villars-sur-Ollon
Villars-sur-Ollon, commonly referred to as Villars, is a village in Switzerland in the canton of Vaud, part of the municipality of Ollon.
Description
Geography and skiing network
Villars overlooks the Rhône valley from an altitude of . Th ...
, as well as the overall classification of the
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse () is an annual road cycling stage race. Raced over eight days, the event covers two weekends in June, and along with the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is considered a proving ground for the Tour de France, which is on the calend ...
, in front of
Juan Ayuso and
world champion Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel (; born 25 January 2000) is a Belgian professional cyclist and Olympic gold medalist who rides for UCI WorldTeam .
Evenepoel is widely regarded as one of the best Individual time trial, time trialists of his generation; he is a t ...
.
In June 2023, he was named in Trek-Lidl's startlist for the
Tour de France
The Tour de France () is an annual men's multiple-stage cycle sport, bicycle race held primarily in France. It is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tour (cycling), Grand Tours, which include the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a ...
, and was seen as a wildcard for the overall classification. His performances in the 2023 season were praised by
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong (''né'' Gunderson; born September 18, 1971) is an American former professional road bicycle racing, road racing cyclist. He achieved international fame for winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times fro ...
: "If you're talking all day long about
Vingegaard and Pogačar, who's number three... boy, I feel like he's gonna start trickling into the top."
2024
In 2024, Skjelmose finished fourth in the
2024 Paris–Nice; he won Stage 6 after outsprinting two other riders who were part of a three-man breakaway. In April, he placed third overall in the
Tour of the Basque Country.
2025
On 20 April 2025, he beat pre-race favourites
Tadej Pogacar and
Remco Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel (; born 25 January 2000) is a Belgian professional cyclist and Olympic gold medalist who rides for UCI WorldTeam .
Evenepoel is widely regarded as one of the best Individual time trial, time trialists of his generation; he is a t ...
in a sprint finish to win the
2025 Amstel Gold Race.
Major results
;2017
: 1st Mountains classification,
Course de la Paix Juniors
: 2nd
Road race, National Junior Road Championships
: 5th Overall Internationale Niedersachsen-Rundfahrt der Junioren
;2018
: 1st Overall
Tour du Pays de Vaud
::1st Stage 3b (
ITT)
: 2nd Overall
Course de la Paix Juniors
: 3rd
Paris–Roubaix Juniors
;2019
: 3rd
Fyen Rundt
: 4th
Time trial
In many racing sports, an sportsperson, athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial (TT) against the clock to secure the fastest time. The format of a time trial can vary, but usually follow a format where each athle ...
, National Under-23 Road Championships
;2021
: 5th Overall
Tour de l'Ain
Tour de l'Ain, also known as the Prix de l'Amitié, is an annual professional cycling stage race held in eastern France.
G.P. de l'Amitié
The first edition of the race was in 1970, as the G.P. de l'Amitié (Friendship G.P.). It was held over f ...
: 6th Overall
UAE Tour
: 7th Overall
Tour of Norway
::1st Young rider classification
: 8th Overall
Danmark Rundt
Danmark Rundt is a Danish multi-day professional road cycling race. It is currently sponsored by the Danish national postal agency, PostNord, and the race is therefore also known as PostNord Danmark Rundt. The race is sometimes called the Tou ...
;2022
(2 pro wins)
: 1st Overall
Tour de Luxembourg
The Tour de Luxembourg is an annual stage race in professional road bicycle racing held in Luxembourg. The Tour de Luxembourg is classified as a UCI race classifications, 2.Pro race, the highest rating below the UCI World Tour, World Tour, by the ...
::1st Young rider classification
::1st Stage 4 (
ITT)
: 2nd Overall
Tour de l'Ain
Tour de l'Ain, also known as the Prix de l'Amitié, is an annual professional cycling stage race held in eastern France.
G.P. de l'Amitié
The first edition of the race was in 1970, as the G.P. de l'Amitié (Friendship G.P.). It was held over f ...
::1st Points classification
::1st Young rider classification
: 3rd
Time trial
In many racing sports, an sportsperson, athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial (TT) against the clock to secure the fastest time. The format of a time trial can vary, but usually follow a format where each athle ...
, National Road Championships
: 3rd Overall
Tour de la Provence
::1st Young rider classification
: 3rd Overall
Danmark Rundt
Danmark Rundt is a Danish multi-day professional road cycling race. It is currently sponsored by the Danish national postal agency, PostNord, and the race is therefore also known as PostNord Danmark Rundt. The race is sometimes called the Tou ...
: 3rd Overall
Tour de Wallonie
The Tour de Wallonie is a stage race cycling race on the UCI Europe Tour. It runs in Wallonia, the French-speaking part of Belgium in the end of July. Between 1974 and 1995 it was reserved to amateurs. Since 2005, the race has been organized as a ...
: 5th Overall
Route d'Occitanie
The Route d'Occitanie is a road bicycle race with 4 stages held annually in Southern France. It was first held in 1977 and since 2005 it has been organised as a 2.1 event on the UCI Europe Tour. It is usually held a week before the Tour de France. ...
: 8th
Clásica de San Sebastián
The Donostia-Donostia Klasikoa — Clásica San Sebastián-San Sebastián (San Sebastián Classic) is a one-day professional men's bicycle road race in northern Spain that has been held every summer since 1981 in San Sebastián. It is the m ...
: 10th
Road race,
UCI Road World Championships
The UCI Road World Championships are the annual world championships for bicycle road racing organized by the (UCI). The UCI Road World Championships consist of events for road race and individual time trial, and , a UCI Road World Championships ...
;2023
(7)
: National Road Championships
::1st
Road race
::2nd
Time trial
In many racing sports, an sportsperson, athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial (TT) against the clock to secure the fastest time. The format of a time trial can vary, but usually follow a format where each athle ...
: 1st Overall
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse () is an annual road cycling stage race. Raced over eight days, the event covers two weekends in June, and along with the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is considered a proving ground for the Tour de France, which is on the calend ...
::1st Young rider classification
::1st Stage 3
: 1st
Maryland Cycling Classic
: 2nd Overall
Étoile de Bessèges
The Étoile de Bessèges () is an early-season five-day road bicycle racing stage race held annually around Bessèges, in the Gard department of the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France. First organized in 1971 as a one-day race, it became a ...
::1st Young rider classification
::1st Stage 4
: 2nd Overall
Danmark Rundt
Danmark Rundt is a Danish multi-day professional road cycling race. It is currently sponsored by the Danish national postal agency, PostNord, and the race is therefore also known as PostNord Danmark Rundt. The race is sometimes called the Tou ...
::1st Stage 3
: 2nd
La Flèche Wallonne
La Flèche Wallonne (, French for "The Walloon Arrow") is a men's professional cycle road race held in April each year in Wallonia, Belgium. It is part of the UCI World Tour.
The first of two Belgian Ardennes classics, La Flèche Wallonne is ...
: 3rd
Ardèche Classic
: 3rd
GP Miguel Induráin
The Grand Prix Miguel Induráin (), formerly the "Grand Prix Navarre" is a Spanish one-day road bicycle race.
History
The race was inaugurated in 1951, but was limited to local competition. It was rebranded after Spanish cyclist Miguel Indurái ...
: 5th Overall
Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var
::1st Points classification
::1st Stage 2
: 6th
La Drôme Classic
: 8th
Amstel Gold Race
: 9th
Liège–Bastogne–Liège
Liège–Bastogne–Liège , also known as ''La Doyenne'' ("The Old Lady"), is a one-day classic cycling race in Belgium.Cycling Weekly, UK, 13 March 1993 First run in 1892, it is the oldest of the five ''Cycling monument, Monuments'' of the Eur ...
: 9th
Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal
: 10th
Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
;2024
(1)
: 3rd Overall
Tour de Suisse
The Tour de Suisse () is an annual road cycling stage race. Raced over eight days, the event covers two weekends in June, and along with the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is considered a proving ground for the Tour de France, which is on the calend ...
::1st Young rider classification
: 3rd Overall
Tour of the Basque Country
: 3rd
Ardèche Classic
: 4th Overall
Paris–Nice
Paris–Nice is a professional road bicycle racing, cycling stage race in France, held annually since 1933. Raced over eight days, the race usually starts with a prologue in the Paris region and ends with a final stage either in Nice or on the ...
::1st Stage 6
: 5th Overall
Vuelta a España
The Vuelta a España (; ) is an annual stage race, multi-stage bicycle racing, bicycle race primarily held in Spain, while also occasionally making passes through nearby countries. Inspired by the success of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Ital ...
::1st
Young rider classification
: 5th
La Drôme Classic
;2025
(1)
: 1st
Amstel Gold Race
: 2nd
La Drôme Classic
: 5th Overall
Tour of the Basque Country
: 6th
Ardèche Classic
General classification results timeline
Classics results timeline
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Skjelmose, Mattias
2000 births
Living people
Danish male cyclists
Cyclists from Copenhagen
Tour de Suisse stage winners
Doping cases in cycling
Danish sportspeople in doping cases
People from Amager
Cyclists at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Olympic cyclists for Denmark
21st-century Danish sportsmen