How tough was the World Championship? Lidl-Trek trio that just missed the podium explains while groaning and gasping

During the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda, Skujins had to let the reigning world champion go early on. However, the Latvian still emerged as the winner from the group with Juan Ayuso (Spain), Isaac del Toro (Mexico), and Ciccone, with whom he chased the podium. “I did my best, but the medals had already been decided,” the Latvian said realistically to Eurosport.

The classics specialist suffered: “It was like a triathlon, everyone finished on their own.” He therefore found it logical that last year's world champion also crossed the line solo this year. “He has once again shown that he is the best in the world. I didn't get to see much of it, but Tadej was at such a high level. I didn't have the legs to follow him, but few do.”

Despite the podium slipping out of sight for the Latvian national champion, he was (and is) proud of his performance. “I think I'm the world champion in the 70+ category, above 70 kilograms, that is,” he laughed. “I'll have to settle for that, it was a good race,” concluded last year's number two in Strade Bianche, who also finished behind Tadej Pogacar.

Four minutes before Skujins, his teammate at Lidl-Trek, Skjelmose, crossed the finish line. He, too, had suffered greatly. "It was all about who had the strongest legs, not tactics. Every time someone took the lead in the large group, someone at the back dropped off. It was very tough," said the man who beat Pogacar and Evenepoel in this year's Amstel Gold Race.

That wasn't possible on Sunday. The Danish leader ultimately had to acknowledge his superior in the Irishman Ben Healy. “I thought I wouldn't be dropped, but I also knew I was at my limit. But he had better legs, there was nothing I could do about it, and I was completely empty,” Skjelmose analyzed the moment Healy attacked 5 kilometers from the finish line.

So no medal in 2025, but the young Dane is not too concerned. “Of course, I wanted to give the team and myself a medal, but that's part of cycling. As a team, we did very well, and I've only just turned 25. Hopefully, I still have many world championships to come. It won't be my last chance,” the Dane concluded confidently.

Behind Skjelmose and Skujins, Ciccone sprinted to sixth place, giving Lidl-Trek the first three places after the World Championship podium. The Italian simply couldn't do any better, according to Tutto Bici. “It was one of the toughest days of my career,” he said meaningfully. “It was unbearable and painful, and that was true for everyone.”

“I don't think the altitude in Rwanda had much of an impact; it was more the weather that exhausted us kilometer after kilometer,” said Ciccone. “I held my own on Mount Kigali, which was the key moment. I felt good and had no problems on the Wall of Kigali either. When Remco attacked, it was perhaps a mistake to follow him.”

In a race where you have to manage your energy so well, Evenepoel's acceleration was too much for Ciccone. As a result, he was unable to keep up when the group for the remaining podium places was formed. “When we got to the cobbles, I was completely frozen. I had to let go. Maybe a top-five finish would have been better, but I'm happy with myself and with the team.”