“He's the favourite but it's probably one of the toughest races for him to win” – Michael Matthews previews Pogacar’s chances at Milano-Sanremo
Cycling
Michael Matthews is once again preparing for Milano-Sanremo, a race where he has consistently performed at the highest level but has yet to claim victory. With six top-ten finishes and three podiums in eleven participations, the Australian rider spoke to Cyclism’Actu ahead of this Saturday’s Monument, reflecting on his form, past disappointments, and what it will take to finally win.
"I didn't win at the start of the season like last year, so it wasn't the dream start," Matthews admitted. "But other than that, everything went well. I finished Paris-Nice without getting sick or getting injured. I was able to help Max Walscheid in the sprints and Ben O'Connor for the general classification. I'm in better shape than last year, so that's positive."
As one of the most consistent performers at Milan-Sanremo, Matthews knows exactly what it takes to fight for victory. However, he acknowledges how much the race has changed over the years. "This race suits me very well, a very long race with a complicated finish that usually ends in a sprint in a small group,” he said.
“It's a different race from the other classics. Last year, I lost by half a wheel, it gave me extra motivation to really recognize the finish well and know every meter. The way of running this race has changed a lot since I first participated in 2011; back then, it was a race for sprinters. Now it really depends on who the favorite is. I've seen the race run in so many different ways that I couldn't predict what will happen this year."
Despite his impressive record at La Primavera, Matthews has yet to reach the top step of the podium. "If I knew what I was missing to win, I would have won already! This race is a lottery! After more than six hours on the bike, every decision is crucial.
“Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to make the right decision at the right time. I think last year I did everything right, I just got beaten by the fastest rider in the world. Maybe I need to try something different... In Paris-Nice I didn't have the opportunity to stand out, to position myself as a favorite, but I have confidence in myself and in what I'm capable of doing."
Looking back at his agonizing second-place finish in 2023, Matthews admitted that one moment of distraction cost him dearly. "I watched the finish several times. I'd never had glasses fall off like that.
“I really thought I was going to win, 20 meters from the finish I was still in the lead. When my glasses fell off I had a moment of distraction for a second and that's when Philipsen overtook me. This result was really hard to swallow knowing that by 25 meters I was winning my first Monument. I hope that doesn't happen this year and that I have a sprint without incidents."
Matthews also spoke about his relationship with Tadej Pogacar, who will enter the race as one of the top favorites. While they are friends off the bike, that relationship disappears in competition. "I don't want to say too much what I think he should do. He's the favourite but it's probably one of the toughest races for him to win.
“It's not as selective as he would like, a lot of fast riders are there at the finish. If I had something to advise him I think it's for his team to make the race as tough as possible. There are several ways to do it: Alaphilippe and Quick-Step took it easy on the Cipressa and then flat out on the Poggio for example, so I think they should make the race tough and do it from a distance."
The Australian rider also reflected on how his friendship with Pogacar has evolved. "Tadej and I met in 2019 or 2020 when he moved to Monaco and we hit it off from the start. But when you get to the end of a race there's no more friendship, we race against each other, we don't help each other. But it's quite special to have this kind of relationship in the peloton, it's a sport that's becoming individualistic and I think we need more friendships like that."
While winning Milan-Sanremo remains a major goal, Matthews is not limiting himself to just one ambition. "Winning Milan-Sanremo has been a goal my whole career and coming so close was hard to swallow. But I won't give up! I wouldn't say it's the last goal of my career, I still have others like the Tour of Flanders or the Amstel Gold Race."
So will 2025 be Pogacar’s year, or will it finally be Matthews time? Or will another rider have their say, and stop the two friends from finally reaching the top step of the podium? Thankfully, we only have a matter of days to wait now until the year’s first monument.
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