Two members of the hair appreciation society. (Side note I never want to hear Carlton Kirby say “touch the mullet” again) #MilanoSanremo
Matthews: "I guess Van der Poel and Pogacar were not as strong as we all thought"
CyclingSaturday, 16 March 2024 at 12:07
Michael Matthews is everyone's friend in the peloton, as was evident in Milan-San Remo once again. The Aussie of Jayco AlUla fell just short of Jasper Philipsen in winning the race but was sportsmanlike enough to immediately embrace the Belgian (and third-place Tadej Pogacar) afterwards.
Matthews, a long-time regular in the top ten and on the podium of Milan-San Remo, had fallen ill during Paris-Nice the previous week. "But ultimately, I think it only helped me, because the weather was not good," he had let on beforehand. The Aussie rode to the starting place Pavia on Thursday with good friend Pogacar, who, like him, resides in Monaco, and Pogacar's fiancée Urska Zigart.
Even during the race, Matthews appeared remarkably relaxed. In the first hours of the race, he casually chatted at the back of the peloton with, among others, Van der Poel, where the cameras even captured the two visibly feeling each other's mullets. Hours later, they encountered each other once again, but this time in the finale. VDP sacrificed his chances for Philipsen, which also suited Matthews.
Matthews proud, but also left with bitter feeling after second place in Milan-San Remo
In the sprint, the Aussie seemed on track to win, but ultimately Philipsen managed to overtake him at the last moment. "It's tough. I'm obviously happy with my podium finish, but there is also that bad aftertaste. I was close to a win in a Monument again, so... I think I did everything perfectly, so in that sense, I can't fault myself. I'm very proud of myself and the way I handled it. It's my favorite race of the year, so it's also special to be on the podium again."
Matthews maintained his position among the group of top favorites on the Poggio. "I guess Pogacar and Van der Poel were not as strong as we all thought beforehand, but that suited me just fine," he concluded with Eurosport.
Il Lombardia 2024
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
Cycling transfers WorldTour 2025 | Uno-X unwraps Christmas gift from Jayco AlUla: Grøndahl Jansen makes the move
Van der Poel vs. Van Aert on the horizon, but Alpecin boss Roodhooft remains cautious: "Don’t expect too much"
Pogacar intimidates competition just before Christmas dinner with the most prestigious KOM in the training area
Latest Cycling News
The Pogacar effect: How Tadej has shaped the career of Matthews in a crucial way
Can Decathlon AG2R's big budget strike back against the 'Big Four' this spring?
Cycling transfers WorldTour 2025 | Uno-X unwraps Christmas gift from Jayco AlUla: Grøndahl Jansen makes the move
Van der Poel vs. Van Aert on the horizon, but Alpecin boss Roodhooft remains cautious: "Don’t expect too much"
Pogacar intimidates competition just before Christmas dinner with the most prestigious KOM in the training area
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers WorldTour 2025 | Uno-X unwraps Christmas gift from Jayco AlUla: Grøndahl Jansen makes the move
New gear aims to make Vingegaard and Van Aert faster: "Perfectly suited to the riders' needs"
"New super team" XDS Astana has no room for Cavendish in management: "He didn’t want to just be an ambassador"
Meanwhile in the peloton | Nippo returns to the peloton, Van Aert dedicates run to late "emperor" Rik Van Looy
Cycling kits 2025: Movistar and Jayco AlUla embrace bold new designs
Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024