There was no hiding the dedication with which Jayco AlUla was chasing victory on the Cadel Evans Nice Ocean Highway Race. They’d undoubtedly purchased out the A workforce for the Australian summer season – Michael Matthews was for the primary time returning to the scene of his U23 World Championships victory in 2010 – to place the Australian WorldTour workforce in with the absolute best to shot to scoop up the one-day race that begins and finishes in Geelong for the primary time.
Because the break was swept up within the run into the road a bunch together with Matthews was establishing for the ultimate dash. It seemed just like the victory that he had been so properly positioned for when he dropped his chain on the Tour Down Below may properly are available Geelong as a substitute.
However this was no day for the favourites, with each Matthews and Caleb Ewan (Australia) who had been in that lead group being crushed to the road by Marius Mayrhofer (Workforce DSM) who hadn’t been on the radar earlier than the race, no shock as this was his very first win. Hugo Web page (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) had been subsequent then Matthews came visiting the road fourth and Ewan was sixth.
“I am unable to say a lot, about as we speak my legs had been completely horrible sadly, the fellows did actually good cowl strikes on the circuit,” Matthews instructed Cyclingnews. “Yeah. I imply, they had been in all of the strikes that might have probably gone to the road after which it really got here again for a dash and we lined up however simply had no legs left to actually get out and truly open up my dash. It is disappointing. We got here right here to win, we did not.
Jayco AlUla had been diligent in moving into strikes by the 176km course that swept out from Geelong, by the rolling hills in drizzly circumstances after which again to Geelong – through the coast – and into 4 laps of a neighborhood circuit together with the brief however sharp climb of Challambra Crescent. That climb had additionally been a characteristic of the course the place Matthews took his U23 world title in Geelong again in 2010.
“The workforce rode nice once more however yeah, I could not fairly end it off. It was only a psychological battle on the market as we speak,” mentioned Matthews. “Clearly nice reminiscences after I was right here final time however simply did not have the legs on the day to actually do what was wanted to be carried out. However, um. yeah, now it is time to time to fly house and reset and prepare for the spring.”
It has been a change in preparation for Matthews, who has normally stayed in Europe to prepare for his spring targets, together with Milan San Remo the place he got here fourth in 2022. So does he nonetheless really feel like he’s in an excellent place after an Australian summer season the place he hasn’t managed to get that win, however clearly had some good type at his main goal, the Tour Down Below, earlier than a contact of wheels and chain drop, spoiled his plans.
“We’ll have to attend and see. I imply, it isn’t the outcomes that I got here right here for,” mentioned Matthews, who stood on the rostrum at each the street race on the Australian Nationwide Championships and on stage 1 on the Tour Down Below earlier than coming to Geelong and ending fourth.
“But it surely was additionally not the smoothest run for me the final couple of months, so, I believe I made probably the most of what I may. Sadly, no win however I assume I will solely be capable to say after the Classics if this was an excellent possibility to come back to Australia or not.”
That can most likely additionally reply the query of whether or not he will probably be again once more subsequent 12 months to attempt to chase that win in Australia once more.
“I put a variety of effort in to be in good condition right here in the summertime,” mentioned Matthews. “As soon as I get to the spring after which we are able to consider if we do it once more subsequent 12 months or not.”
