"It was very fast": Michael Matthews on the TTT experience set to return at the Tour de France

Team Jayco AlUla were among the standout performers in the team time trial at the Trofeo Ses Salines, the opening round of the Challenge Mallorca. The Australian squad set the fastest time at the finish for several minutes, initially bettering one of the big favourites, Tudor, before being bumped down to third by Remco Evenepoel’s Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and Movistar Team.

While they still held the provisional lead and victory remained in play, Michael Matthews spoke to the media to assess the team’s effort and the sensations after a very fast, demanding TTT. The Australian first stressed the importance of the context surrounding Jayco-AlUla’s ride. “It felt good. It was our first race together in a team time trial this season and you never really know how it will go, but I think we managed it well,” he explained.

Speaking to Cycling Pro Net, Matthews emphasised the symbolic value of having beaten two of the teams tipped to fight for the win at that point. “So far we’ve managed to get ahead of two teams and I think they were the big favourites for today, so it’s a good start,” he said, referring directly to Tudor, who had been beaten by two seconds.

The specifics of the course were another key factor in the Australian’s analysis. The Trofeo Ses Salines TTT was defined by a very high average speed and the wind conditions, which proved decisive for strategy. “It was a really fast time trial. There was quite a bit of tailwind on the way out and a strong headwind on the way back,” Matthews explained. Faced with that scenario, the team’s plan was clear from the start. “We tried to save as much as possible on the way out and then just bring it home in the final part,” he added.

The provisional result backed up that strategy, with an average speed close to 59 kilometres per hour, underlining the intensity and level of the effort. However, Matthews was cautious about whether that mark would be enough to win. “I’m not sure,” he admitted candidly.

The Australian again pointed to Tudor as the day’s main benchmark. “Like I said before, Tudor were probably the big favourites for today. They have a very strong team here,” he noted. In that sense, being ahead of the Swiss outfit was already a source of satisfaction for Jayco-AlUla. “If we’re able to be in front of them, that’s a good start, and then it’s just fingers crossed to see what happens,” he concluded.

In the end, Red Bull BORA and Movistar Team’s times pushed the Australians down to third place, but Jayco-AlUla’s performance left positive signs to open the season.