Michael Matthews will be the spearhead of a Team Jayco AlUla roster ready to face one of the most fascinating races in world cycling, Milano-San Remo.
After last year’s second place, the Australian is ready to duel on the road from Milan to Sanremo. Along with him will be a well-balanced team to protect him on the flat roads and set him up on the punchy roads leading to the Via Roma.
Team Jayco AlUla will be able to count on the strengths of Patrick Gamper and Jasha Sütterlin, the talent of Mauro Schmid and Filippo Zana, as well as the enthusiasm of the young Felix Engelhardt and the Italian Davide De Pretto.
Milano-Sanremo – known as ‘la classica di Primavera’ or ‘the spring Classic’ – is by far the longest race on the calendar with this year’s edition clocking in at 289km. The route is once again defined by the three Capi: the Mele, Cervo, and Berta, which come in close succession before the all-important climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio.
Team Jayco AlUla:
Davide De Pretto (ITA)
Felix Engelhardt (GER)
Patrick Gamper (AUT)
Michael Matthews (AUS)
Mauro Schmid (SUI)
Jasha Sütterlin (GER)
Filippo Zana (ITA)
Michael Matthews:
“It’s perhaps the race that I love the most in the calendar especially because it’s so unpredictable. Milano-Sanremo is one of the races that best suits my characteristics: it’s almost 300km and has a really tough finale. Compared to last year, I’m in a better shape, having had no crashes or physical problems. In the last days, I have done several recons of the last 50km and now I can say that I know each metre of the route. We have a really strong team that will help me to keep the best position before the two decisive climbs. Without a doubt, it’s one of the strongest squads that I have had around me for this race.”
Mathew Hayman (Sport Director):
“We go into the first monument of the year in a race that is special for our team. The team’s first monument win was with Simon Gerrans in 2012 and was an amazing way to start the first year of the team. It’s also a special race for Michael Matthews; he has been on the podium for three times. Michael loves Sanremo, the victory has eluded him so far, but we go back this year with another opportunity. He will be well supported into the finale when it comes down to a showdown on the Via Roma. There’s a chance of rain, which could change the race a lot.”
Photo: Sprint Cycling
