It had been five years since Michael Matthews' last victory at the Tour de France, and it came on a day few would've predicted. The Team BikeExchange - Jayco rider is one of the most versatile in the peloton, and today he put his skills to good use on the rolling hills of the Massif Central.
“I think it’s pretty much the story of my career, I’ve had so many rollercoasters up and down but my wife and my daughter kept believing in me," the Australian said after the finish. "How many times I’ve been smashed down, I’ve got back up. This is for my daughter today. She’s four years old, I’m away all the time and I really wanted to show her what I do it for. Today was that day," he said, emotionally.
On a day that was certain to be disputed between the breakaway riders, Matthews was an outsider figure, who had - as all riders did - a big battle to be able to be in the escapee group after today's furious start. The relentless climbing and soaring heat put many in pain, however now Matthews who benefited from this to balance his expected lack of climbing power against the likes of Thibaut Pinot or Rigoberto Uran who were in the chasing group.
“After yesterday, I think that was a big opportunity missed. Yesterday was a really good stage for me and this three-day block from yesterday through to tomorrow is what our team was aiming for in the second week," he said. Matthews knew he had to anticipate the final climb, and he did so by attacking with 45 kilometers to go and having a four-rider (three after Andreas Kron's puncture) group work perfectly until the base of the final climb where he still had an advantage over the chasing group.
Matthews held off the competition except for Alberto Bettiol up Mende, however he managed to go solo near the summit for a very important win, both for Matthews and BikeExchange. This was his second win of the season, and one of the most important in his career.
"Today, I just knew that it was probably going to be my last chance. Into Lausanne, it was a good opportunity, and I came off second to Tadej in another stage. I was running out of chances in this Tour de France. I wanted to show everyone that I’m not just a sprinter. I can ride like I rode today," he concluded.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- I had no idea about that either.
santiagobenites10-11-2026 - great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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