On Friday, the queen stage of the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg took place. Over the 170.5 km from Mertert to Vianden, the riders delivered spectacular racing. At the finish in the Vianden castle, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) claimed victory ahead of Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates XRG). With this win, Skjelmose also took over the Yellow Jersey of the overall leader.

Seven riders formed the day’s breakaway and quickly built a lead of six minutes. Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Simon Guglielmi (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies), Holter Ådne (Uno-X Mobility), Victor Papon (Wagner-Bazin WB), Henri Renard Haquin (Wagner-Bazin WB) and Joshua Amos Gudnitz (Team Coloquick) tried their luck. But on the tough finishing circuit around Vianden, the group stood no chance against the favourites.

Already on the first climb of the Niklosbierg, the peloton broke apart. The stage resembled more of a one-day classic than a stage race. Marc Hirschi (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) launched an attack in the final kilometres, but the victory was decided within a small group where Skjelmose proved to have the strongest legs.

Stage winner and new race leader Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek): “It was a very hard finale. Marc Hirschi was really strong, it was tough to bring him back. Brandon McNulty launched his sprint early, but luckily I could pass him at the end. My teammate Tom Skujins did an amazing job. I even asked him if he thought he could win, because I wasn’t feeling great. But he answered that he would fully ride for me. Wearing the Yellow Jersey is actually a disadvantage. Hopefully, we can still win the race. The time trial tomorrow should suit me. I hope to be up there as well. On Sunday, I want to finish the job. The weather isn’t expected to be good, but usually I perform well in tough conditions.”