Michael Matthews is aiming for his first victory at Milan-San Remo this Saturday, after coming close multiple times with five top-six finishes in his career. The Australian rider, who has consistently performed well at the prestigious race, faces stiff competition, including his close friend and rival, Tadej Pogačar.
The two riders have shared a unique bond since meeting five years ago. Matthews was introduced to the young Slovenian, who had just joined UAE-Team Emirates, by the team’s directeur Neil Stephens. Matthews showed Pogačar around Monaco, where both now live, and their friendship quickly developed from there.
Matthews’ best result at Milan-San Remo came last year, when he finished second behind Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). He beat Pogačar, who took third place. Matthews reflected on the growth of their friendship: “We first met up for a ride, and went training together. There was obviously a click… and from there, our relationship has only gotten stronger. When we race, we talk during the event, but in the final stages, there’s no love lost – we race hard against each other.”
Despite their friendship, Matthews noted that their competitive spirit remains fierce when racing. He described their relationship as “special” within the peloton, emphasizing the importance of respect between riders. “I think we need more of this in sport. It’s becoming more individual, and there’s less respect for each other in the peloton. Hopefully, we can bring that respect back, race with a bit more fun, and remember why we started racing in the first place.”
While Matthews enjoys a strong bond with Pogačar, he faces fierce competition in the upcoming race. Riders like 2022 winner Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), 2023 winner Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), and last year’s champion Philipsen are all formidable opponents.
After playing a supporting role for team-mate Ben O’Connor during Paris-Nice, Matthews is ready to take charge and lead his own effort in Milan-San Remo. His preparation for this year’s race has been intense, as he aims to leave no stone unturned. Matthews revealed that after his near-miss last year, losing by just a tire width, he dedicated himself to meticulous recon. “I put in extra time this winter, doing the recon 20 or 30 times,” he said. “I knew the roads before, but not to the level of detail I do now.”
Matthews, who has been refining his form, also recalled a moment last year that still haunts him: “Sprinting to the line, I really thought I was gonna win. At 25 meters to go, I was still in front, but then my glasses fell off. I lost focus for a second, and that’s when Philipsen passed me. It’s been tough to swallow.”
This year, Matthews is confident in both his form and his equipment. He’s upgraded to new Scicon glasses, which he believes will stay in place as he heads into the final stretch.
With the race on the horizon, Matthews’ preparation is as thorough as ever. Now, it’s up to the roads to decide the outcome.
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