No Mads Pedersen, but another big leader for Denmark at the World Championships, but who will support him?

After his withdrawal from the Tour de France, Skjelmose was still seen at work in the Tour of Denmark, where he mainly rode in support of Mads Pedersen. Pedersen will not be in Rwanda, as this year's World Championships will be for pure climbers. With 267.5 kilometers and no less than 5,475 meters of climbing around Kigali, riders such as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have also decided not to make the trip to Rwanda.

Skjelmose will be supported in his World Championship mission by a diverse group. Anders Foldager, Asbjørn Hellemose, and Christopher Juul-Jensen are fast riders from Jayco AlUla, and Mikkel Honoré and Michael Valgren from EF Education-EasyPost do generally not compete with the best climbers in the final. Anthon Charming (Astana) and Casper Pedersen (Soudal-Quick Step) are also on the list.

Despite a lack of real support on the climbs, national coach Michael Mørkøv is hopeful of a top result for Skjelmose. “Mattias has shown this year that he can beat the best,” says the former rider, referring to his victory in the Amstel Gold Race, where he beat Tadej Pogacar. “With both experienced and young riders, I think we are prepared for all scenarios.”

In the women's race, only Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (CANYON/SRAM zondacrypto) and Solbjørk Anderson (Uno-X Mobility) will be competing.