On Mattias Skjelmose's face, disbelief has settled almost like a mask and seems unwilling to leave. The twenty-four-year-old Danish Lidl Trek rider repeats it once, twice, ten times: "I really have no idea what happened..."

And he recounts his race with utmost sincerity: "When they were chasing Pogacar, I was completely exhausted, I kept telling Remco that I was empty, that he needed to pull on the climb. I was really at my limit and was collaborating as best I could, thinking only of securing a podium spot, because that would already have been a great result. I was just trying to keep the chasers as far away as possible and feared I would get cramps and be forced to stop".

However, there must have been some energy left in Skjelmose's muscles, and his mind remained sharp: "In the sprint, I tried to find space on the right because the wind was coming from the left, but Evenepoel anticipated me and Pogacar followed him, so I had no choice but to take the center of the road. And I'll say it again: I really have no idea what happened".

In reality, what happened is that the Dane achieved one of the most prestigious victories of his career at a difficult moment. "I've had a lot of bad luck this season, it's been very tough for me, especially mentally. And just over a month ago, I lost my grandfather: I want to dedicate this victory to him".