"I don't really want to get amongst a messy bunch sprint at the moment" - Michael Matthews reluctant to sprint after horror double arm break
Cycling
Michael Matthews is reluctant to give it is all in a bunch sprint at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ahead of Wednesday's stage 4. The Australian fast man is in strong form after capping off a solid team time trial for Team Jayco AlUla, but has good reason to not want to go to the line in a chaotic surge.
Matthews is returning to action at the WorldTour race after five months sidelined following a training crash, but the nature of his injuries made it a unique recovery for 'Bling'. While moto-pacing, he collided with a fire engine and suffered several injuries.
A broken arm and two broken wrists, severed thumb tendons and a broken face was the rundown of injuries from the horror crash on March 5th. Making an incredible recovery, he's on the start line in South-East France just over three months later.
But while fit to race, Matthews doesn't fancy the added stress and chaos that a bunch sprint brings, when asked if he would be up there in a potential race to the line on Wednesday. First and foremost, he's happy with where his shape is and his performance in the team time trial.
Matthews happy with his injury return
"I think the first two days were very solid," he told Cycling Pro Net. "I think after five months without racing it was a shock to the system. Yesterday suited me a bit better, bit shorter and punchy. I think I did a good TTT. Hopefully better and better as this stage race goes on."
Stage 4 offers a big chance for the fast men amongst brutal mountain stages. However, with some difficult climbing and a lack of depth in pure bunch sprint teams, Matthews predicts a chaotic day.
While not strictly a specialist when it comes to full bunch sprint, Matthews enjoys success in a reduced sprint on days that include a high degree of elevation gain or intensity.
"Unpredictable" stage in store
The 35-year-old has carved quite a career and boasts 44 victories, but poured cold water on adding a 45th on Wednesday.
"I don't really want to get amongst a messy bunch sprint at the moment with my arms, but we'll go after what we can and see what opportunities come to us. We've a few guys who could win from a breakaway, but let's see what happens. I think it's going to be an unpredictable stage."
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He added: "I never really liked such high speed sprints like this, and absolute chaos. I wouldn't mind a bit more of a tricky sprint. In the end, we'll take what we can get. We'll go for the opportunity but I would rather it be a bit more technical."
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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