Picture this: a top cyclist battling severe back pain, choosing to compete anyway just to fulfill his duties to the team. It's a heart-wrenching decision that highlights the sacrifices riders make in the high-stakes world of professional cycling. But here's where it gets controversial – is pushing through injuries like this a display of true dedication, or does it risk long-term health for short-term gains? Let's dive into Mattias Skjelmose's story at the Tour of Guangxi, where he's defying the odds despite his body screaming for a break.
Just a few days after he was forced to drop out of Il Lombardia because of a nagging back problem that resurfaced, Mattias Skjelmose found himself chuckling when questioned about why he was lining up for the Tour of Guangxi with Lidl-Trek. This event wraps up the WorldTour season, and it's not exactly a walk in the park for everyone. The peloton in China typically includes a diverse bunch: explosive sprinters ready to battle for stage wins, ambitious young climbers testing their limits, and plenty of experienced pros nearing retirement or scrambling to impress for contract renewals.
Yet, a talent like Skjelmose – who's part of an exclusive group of riders who managed to outpace both Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel in the same race this year – stands out as an anomaly on the Guangxi start list. And this is the part most people miss: he's dealing with a herniated disc in his back, the very issue that cut short his season earlier. To clarify for newcomers to cycling, a herniated disc means part of the spine's cushioning has slipped out of place, causing intense pain and potential nerve issues – think of it as a slipped gear in your body that won't shift back easily.
Despite all that, he's tipped as one of the general classification (GC) favorites, which simply means he's expected to contend for the overall race leader's jersey, rubbing shoulders with stars like Jhonatan Narváez from UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Cian Uijtdebroeks of Visma-Lease a Bike. But is he feeling bullish about bringing home the red jersey? Not really, he admits, showing that confidence and reality don't always align in this grueling sport.
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Racing in Guangxi isn't everyone's cup of tea. The demanding travel schedule and the way it extends the European season deep into East Asia have led riders like Skjelmose's soon-to-be teammate, Juan Ayuso, to cleverly opt out by dominating at the Vuelta a España, where he snagged two stage wins to skip this duty. Ayuso's strategy is a perfect example of how riders sometimes manipulate results to influence their calendars – a smart move, but one that raises eyebrows about fairness in team obligations.
As Skjelmose explained, 'Also – I mean, now it's a bit unlikely that we can overtake Visma – but at some point, it was really close to fighting for second place in the [UCI] team ranking, and that would have meant a lot to us, so I think that was the reason for it.' This quote underscores the team-centric mindset in cycling, where individual sacrifices often fuel collective goals, like climbing the world rankings. For beginners, the UCI team ranking is essentially a points system that determines a squad's prestige and sponsorship value – climbing from third to second could unlock bigger budgets and opportunities.
And this is where the controversy deepens: Should riders be pressured to race injured just for team rankings, potentially jeopardizing their careers? Is this the price of glory in cycling, or a system that needs rethinking? What do you think – does Skjelmose's commitment inspire you, or does it highlight exploitative demands in the sport? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own take on these tough choices in pro cycling.
James Moultrie is a top-tier NCTJ-qualified journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023, after freelancing for eight months where he also penned pieces for Eurosport, Rouleur, and Cycling Weekly. Before that, he covered major events like Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d'Italia Donne for Eurosport, and has chatted with cycling legends such as Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan, and Wout van Aert. When he's not immersed in bike racing, James unwinds by following a variety of sports, including rugby, football, cricket, and American football.
