Just over one week ago today, Australian rider Michael Matthews crossed the finish line in Oudenaarde completely empty, wet and dirty and with his second podium placing in a Monument for the 2024 season.
The 33-year-old had just sprinted on to the podium with third place at the iconic and brutal Tour of Flanders. Immediately stopping, dropping to the ground and trying to gasp as much air as he could after a phenomenal sprint, the emotions of what he had achieved poured out.
At first it was disbelief. A thrilling close second place finish at Milan-San Remo just a few weeks earlier followed by another trip to the podium in a very hard edition of Flanders, was a reward for so much sacrifice, belief and hard work. Not only a reward for the pain and suffering but in a race that Matthews had always wanted to do well in, a race that comes with so much prestige. Flanders is known as a race that requires a lot of luck, very good legs, a whole lot of perserverance and preperation just to even make it to the finish line.
After suffering through the unforgiving 270km, he had done it for Team Jayco AlUla, he had delivered against the odds and given the team a fantasic podium finish in exceptional company.
“I am super happy with my performance, if I consider that last year I had three crashes and ended up in hospital, this year was so much better,” Matthews explained. “It was a dream come true to be in a position to sprint for a podium placing and to do it the way I did, such a ride in the final kilometres and to finish in third place, sprinting very closely for second place. It is not only the result that I am very proud of but the way I took on the final and went all in, not holding anything back.”
Moments after catching his breath and celebrating with teammates and staff, Matthews was ushered away and towards the podium area, ready to change his soaking wet, muddy clothes, try to get warm and let the reality of his performance sink in.
With every muscle in his body aching, fatigue and exhilaration, it was a special post race moment of quietness as he changed behind the podium area.
And then it all changed.
After reviewing the sprint finish – where Matthews clawed his way back up to two escapees in the closing metres, leading the exhausted chase group and directly after making the catch, launching to the right side of the road to begin the sprint for the podium – the UCI decided that Matthews deviated from his line in the sprint and relegated the Australian down to 11th; the final placing in the chase group.
With uncertainty and shock within the team, multiple messages and calls, it was eventually confirmed and time for staff members to break the news to the Australian.
“From my point of view I attacked the bunch I was in to ride across to the last two riders I could see infront of me,” said Matthews “When I was coming close they where side by side, so I didn’t know which way to start my sprint but I knew there was a lot of room on the right side.
So, to avoid them, I made my sprint like I did because I didn’t know what they would do infront of me. I didn’t even know or see anyone on my wheel, I was just trying to ride to the finish with so much pain and lactate in my body. It was hard to even push the pedals over and sprint after such a brutal race.”
With no overturning the decision, it was time to pack up and head back to the team bus, with sadness, frustration and disbelief after such an emotionally tough day. Greeted by his teammates, one thing was clear – he crossed the line in third position after 270 hard kilometres and nobody could take that away from him. Hugging everyone, the pride from the team remained. It was a day to remember.
“I’m still dealing with the decision,” admitted Matthews “I know myself that I am very proud of my result and I’m a fair rider. I won’t let the decision take my memories away from what was a very special and beautiful day.”
Watch this space. He’ll be back…
