In one of the most nail-biting finishes of the Spring Classics season, Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl–Trek) won the 2025 Amstel Gold Race in a photo finish over Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel. The Danish rider upset the two biggest stars in cycling after a relentless final chase and a chaotic sprint that needed millimeter precision to separate the three.

"I was riding into a headwind and once Remco had joined the chase I decided to wait for them," Pogacar explained.

Evenepoel and Skjelmose reeled in the Slovenian in the final 15km. After a tense 3km cat-and-mouse standoff, Skjelmose launched the decisive sprint to win by inches.

"The finish line was five meters too far," said Pogacar, who placed second and congratulated Skjelmose with a tap on the shoulder.

"I really paid the price for all my efforts in the headwind over the last 15km," he added.

The race erupted with 47 kilometers to go when Julian Alaphilippe lit the fuse on the Gulperberg. Only Pogačar followed the Frenchman, forming an early elite break. But it was clear—Pogačar had different plans. On the next climb, the Kruisberg, he dropped Alaphilippe with ease and went solo.

Remco Evenepoel Chases Tadej Pogacar

Behind, Evenepoel—bloodied from an earlier crash—rallied his team. Ilan Van Wilder took up the chase, trying to keep the world champion in sight. For a moment, the gap held steady at 12 seconds. But Pogačar, doing what he does best, extended the margin to 30 seconds with a fluid, almost effortless display.

As the race hit the Keutenberg, Evenepoel counterattacked. Only Skjelmose could go with him. The Olympic champion launched again at 25km to go, going solo in pursuit of Pogačar. Skjelmose clawed back once more, and the two bridged to the Slovenian with just 8 kilometers remaining.

Mattias Skjelmose Schools Tadej Pogacar

Over the Cauberg, the trio hesitated. Evenepoel led. Skjelmose sat on. Pogačar hovered. The sprint was cagey, and when Evenepoel launched, he couldn’t hold the speed. Pogačar surged, but faded. And Skjelmose, with one perfect final burst, edged them both on the line.

Belgium had a strong showing. Thibau Nys impressed with a clever ride and finished 12th. Wout van Aert took 4th—again—adding to his string of near-misses after the Ronde and Roubaix. Tiesj Benoot came in 8th.

But the story belongs to Skjelmose. In a battle of titans, it was the quiet Dane who spoke loudest.

Defending champion Tom Pidcock, who won in similar style in 2024, also finished with the Van Aert group.

Skjelmose appeared stunned by his win. "I was riding for a podium spot," said the Dane, who won best young rider at the 2024 Vuelta and the 2023 Tour of Switzerland.

Results Top 10

• 1. Mattias Skjelmose (DEN) – Lidl–Trek
• 2. Tadej Pogačar (SLO) – UAE Team Emirates - XRG
• 3. Remco Evenepoel (BEL) – Soudal Quick-Step
• 4. Wout van Aert (BEL) – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
• 5. Michael Matthews (AUS) – Team Jayco AlUla
• 6. Louis Barré (FRA) – Intermarché–Wanty
• 7. Romain Grégoire (FRA) – Groupama–FDJ
• 8. Tiesj Benoot (BEL) – Team Visma | Lease a Bike
• 9. Tom Pidcock (GBR) – Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
• 10. Ben Healy (IRL) – EF Education–EasyPost