"He is the best cyclist there is" - Michael Matthews praises Tadej Pogacar but beats him in explosive GP de Québec finale

Three victories for Michael Matthews now at the GP de Québec. The Australian is perfectly suited to the hills and the uphill sprint of the Canadian race and has today succeeded once again in what was one of the toughest editions in recent years.

Whilst UAE Team Emirates pushed the pace throughout the day to drain the fast men such as Matthews; the attack of Julian Alaphilippe split the peloton with a few kilometers to go. Pogacar took advantage of this and launched his own move. With Lotto Dstny still having men in front, the peloton was also forced to go all-out in order to close the gap that had developed. Matthews wasn't able to match the attacks but this proved to be the best tactic, as the men in front arrived at the final sprint completely fatigued; whilst a few men in the peloton still had an acceleration in them including the Australian.

“It was a tough day,. Nobody really had a kick in their legs anymore. In the final meters, the peloton made a swing to the left, after which I saw an opportunity to open up on the right," the Team Jayco AlUla said of the final sprint. "I no longer have the peak power compared to other fast men, but I do have the stamina. I decided to make it a long sprint and won.” He beat Biniam Girmay who started the sprint badly positioned; and a mix of puncheurs and climbers who still had the legs in the finale.

Matthews admitted that he was in a bad place mentally after being relegated from the podium at the Tour of Flanders and spent the summer trying to avenge that (lack of) result, but not succeeding. “I really had to bounce back after a bad summer. I had to work very hard for this, because things did not go as they should," he admits. "I also want to give my team and my family the necessary credit.” After two strong wins at the Vuelta a España with Eddie Dunbar, the Australian team is perhaps going through it's best period of the season.

Matthews was also asked about friend and neighbour Tadej Pogacar, who was the key figure of the race but could only sprint to 7th at the line. “He is the best cyclist there is. I am a fan too. It is understandable that people come here for him, but I am here to do my job. As long as I win the race".