Michael Matthews back to his best but faces tough opposition at Tour - "I had to try and run at him, but it was too late in the end"

Michael Matthews rode to a second place today at the Tour de France, finishing only behind Tadej Pogacar - a very strong result for the Team BikeExchange - Jayco who rode a strong stage, but lacked the edge only one rider had.

“I tried, I tried everything today and in the end it was second. The team did a great job positioning me into the final and all day long. It was hard out there and in the final, I just had to believe in myself and try to fight for that victory," Matthews said. The Australian team saved it's resources for the end of the day today, a worthy strategy as Matthews managed to enter the penultimate climb in perfect position. A premier puncheur on his best day, Matthews was on a day to win at the Tour.

It could be his second win of the season - after he won at the Volta a Catalunya. He was in the wheels of Tadej Pogacar into the final sprint: "I knew the wheel to be on was Tadej’s and I think it was Pidcock fighting me for the wheels I thought we were maybe at the front a little too early so I let him in," he described. 

"And he couldn’t follow the wheel in the final and so Tadej got a gap and I had to try and run at him, but it was too late in the end," Matthews concluded. Best of the rest, however nothing could be done regarding Pogacar's dominant run to the line. He will have another opportunity this weekend in Lausanne, where he should be leading the team once again and ride for a win.