A major blow has hit Team Jayco AlUla ahead of the Italian Classics, with Michael Matthews ruled out of Strade Bianche after suffering a training crash on Thursday.
The Australian rider was transferred to the hospital following the incident, where medical examinations confirmed fractures to both of his wrists. The injuries immediately rule Matthews out of all upcoming races, including Strade Bianche this weekend and the upcoming Paris-Nice, where he had been expected to play a key role for the team.
The setback halts what had been a promising start to Matthews’ 2026 campaign. The 35-year-old opened his season in style with victory at Gran Premio Castellon, raising hopes of another strong spring campaign.
Team medical staff remain in close contact with Matthews as he begins his recovery, with the Australian now receiving support from the team’s medical department as he works towards returning to racing.
Jayco AlUla adjust Strade Bianche lineup
Matthews’ absence forces a late reshuffle for Team Jayco AlUla ahead of Strade Bianche, with the squad now arriving in Tuscany without the rider originally expected to lead their challenge on the gravel roads.
Instead, the team will start with the following lineup:
| Filippo Conca |
| Alessandro Covi |
| Dries De Bondt |
| Davide De Pretto |
| Anders Foldager |
| Alan Hatherly |
| Andrea Vendrame |
With Matthews out of the race, attention naturally turns to Andrea Vendrame, who will look to carry the team’s ambitions in the demanding Tuscan classic.
Team Jayco AlUla will be without Michael Matthews at Strade Bianche
Vendrame targeting top ten in Tuscany
Vendrame heads into the race with confidence after a solid start to the season, including a fifth-place finish at Trofeo Laigueglia.
“My personal goal for Strade Bianche is to finish in the top ten,” Vendrame explained. “It’s a race I’ve always enjoyed, and in past editions I’ve always finished in the top twenty. Unfortunately, I was missing something to compete for a top ten spot, but this year I’m definitely motivated to achieve it.”
The Italian also believes his early-season form shows he is on the right path heading into one of the most demanding races of the spring calendar. “I’m coming into this Strade Bianche in better shape than in previous years, and my fifth place in Laigueglia confirmed that I’m on the right track.”
For Vendrame, Strade Bianche will also mark the beginning of an important stretch of racing. “Saturday’s Strade Bianche and starting Monday’s Tirreno-Adriatico will open up a series of races where I really want to perform at my best.”
While Matthews’ injury removes one of Jayco AlUla’s key leaders from the race, Vendrame now has an opportunity to step forward as the team looks to remain competitive on the white roads of Tuscany.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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