Teams & Riders Mattias Skjelmose: The Blond Assassin

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Wyndbrook

Oct 4, 2020
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Maybe he's the type of person who worries constantly about job security, he may find new riders arriving threatening. If that is the situation then an extended contract would feel everything to him.
I've certainly felt like that at times in my past, usually misplaced.
 
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Tim Cahill

May 6, 2021
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Could be a ticking time bomb Lidl, especially when you add Ayuso and maybe Gee to the mix, their Tour lineup reminds me of some of the UAE Vuelta teams where they all just go off and do their own things. Simmons was keeping it all together last time but if he continues to improve at such a rate there's no way he should be having to do the dog work. Great stuff.
 
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jmdirt

Dec 6, 2013
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There has been a lot of criticism about his tactics. You can never change one factor because when one factor changes so do others.

That being said, for the sake of argument:
If RE leads the final KM he will TT away from MS.
If RE leads the final KM he will break MS so that he can not come around.
If RE leads the final KM he will still out sprint MS.

All of those are the same result as he got today.

If you look at his sprint, he would win that sprint 0 out of 10 times, he had nothing left, and leading the final KM isn't why.
 
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Zoetemelk-fan

Zoetemelk-fan

Oct 5, 2009
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jmdirt said:
There has been a lot of criticism about his tactics. You can never change one factor because when one factor changes so do others.

That being said, for the sake of argument:
If RE leads the final KM he will TT away from MS.
If RE leads the final KM he will break MS so that he can not come around.
If RE leads the final KM he will still out sprint MS.

All of those are the same result as he got today.

If you look at his sprint, he would win that sprint 0 out of 10 times, he had nothing left, and leading the final KM isn't why.
Click to expand...
On live signal I had stray thoughts that Matthias' only chance was on the hills.
But then stopped my thoughts with the fact of 1500m flat to the line, atop Cauberg with a Full Monty TT RE after you, it was the right choice.
Also considering MS' post race comment that he was afraid Remco would park him on the hills.
IMO couldn't have done much else, and with a worthy second place in the bag. Well done.
 
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Red Rick

Red Rick

Feb 20, 2012
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jmdirt said:
There has been a lot of criticism about his tactics. You can never change one factor because when one factor changes so do others.

That being said, for the sake of argument:
If RE leads the final KM he will TT away from MS.
If RE leads the final KM he will break MS so that he can not come around.
If RE leads the final KM he will still out sprint MS.

All of those are the same result as he got today.

If you look at his sprint, he would win that sprint 0 out of 10 times, he had nothing left, and leading the final KM isn't why.
Click to expand...
Leading too much in the 25 km before is why it's a 0 out of 10 situation.

But I hate when riders say "I woulda lost anyway" when they do everything to lose.
 
Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

Jul 7, 2013
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Will the Blond Assassin strike precisely on Wednesday? I think there's a good chance (if his hands are not too shaky this time!)
 
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jmdirt

Dec 6, 2013
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Red Rick said:
Leading too much in the 25 km before is why it's a 0 out of 10 situation.

But I hate when riders say "I woulda lost anyway" when they do everything to lose.
Click to expand...
Maybe, but it is a bike race after all. If he sits on for the entire time that sucks (and imagine getting second after wheel sucking). Plus RE would have just put it in 20K TT mode then, MS gets swallowed up...second is better.
 
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Red Rick

Red Rick

Feb 20, 2012
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jmdirt said:
Maybe, but it is a bike race after all. If he sits on for the entire time that sucks (and imagine getting second after wheel sucking). Plus RE would have just put it in 20K TT mode then, MS gets swallowed up...second is better.
Click to expand...
The idea that Evenepoel wouldj ust drop Skjelmose if he didn't cooperate doesn't make any sense.
 
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Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

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jmdirt said:
Maybe, but it is a bike race after all. If he sits on for the entire time that sucks (and imagine getting second after wheel sucking). Plus RE would have just put it in 20K TT mode then, MS gets swallowed up...second is better.
Click to expand...

Their gap was comfortable enough with 15-20 km to go. Remco would just wave hands a few times, Skjelmose would shake his head and the Belgian would bring them to the finish. The Dane's chances would at least be better (not saying it would be enough, Remco looked very good at the finish).

I think it's a lot about reputation in the peleton: reputation of a non-cooperative rider. That's why good cyclists almost always cooperate, even with stronger rivals.
 
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Netserk

Netserk

Apr 30, 2011
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Krzysztof_O said:
Their gap was comfortable enough with 15-20 km to go. Remco would just wave hands a few times, Skjelmose would shake his head and the Belgian would bring them to the finish. The Dane's chances would at least be better (not saying it would be enough, Remco looked very good at the finish).

I think it's a lot about reputation in the peleton: reputation of a non-cooperative rider. That's why good cyclists almost always cooperate, even with stronger rivals.
Click to expand...
good reputation is an investment , but its worthless when youre retired , so you should cash in on it before that
 
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Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

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Netserk said:
good reputation is an investment , but its worthless when youre retired , so you should cash in on it before that
Click to expand...

True. It makes sense to be less cooperative in the second half of career (and near its peak). Skjelmose is 26 yo so likely approaching its midpoint and peak level.
 
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Netserk

Netserk

Apr 30, 2011
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Krzysztof_O said:
True. It makes sense to be less cooperative in the second half of career. Skjelmose is 26 yo so likely approaching its midpoint.
Click to expand...
not much gained last sunday by wheelsucking in the end , but if a good opportunity presents itself its worth burning some of your credit

like kigali . perfect place to fully wheelsuck remco and then actually get a medal
 
Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

Jul 7, 2013
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Netserk said:
not much gained last sunday by wheelsucking in the end , but if a good opportunity presents itself its worth burning some of your credit

like kigali . perfect place to fully wheelsuck remco and then actually get a medal
Click to expand...

It definitely makes sense when you are close to your career's best level and in very important races. Then gains could be the biggest.
 
Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

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Berniece said:
He said afterwards that he tried earlier in the race, but eventually was sure he could beat him in the sprint so didn't take the risk of trying to drop him. Doesn't mean he couldn't.
Click to expand...

What risk would it be? If one feels he is stronger than his rival the risk is waiting till the sprint.
 
Krzysztof_O

Krzysztof_O

Jul 7, 2013
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Berniece said:
Risk of blowing yourself up with someone sitting on your wheel who is then fresher for the sprint
Click to expand...

Blowing up with one testing punch? I think the penultimate Kauberg was his test but Sklejmose passed it. The last Kauberg was maybe too risky regarding sprint strengths.
 
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