Team Jayco AlUla aren't expected to have a big role within the Tour of Flanders, but they have a leader to protect. Michael Matthews has made it a goal to perform in the Flandrien classics this year and he starts the Belgian monument motivated to hunt a result.
Click here to
create your own team for the Fantasy Tour of Flanders. At least $6,500/€6,000/£5,720 in
prizes!
Matthews was sixth in Flanders back in 2019, and 11th last year. Although not a specialist, the 32-year old is a strong puncheur capable of riding through these climbs effectively, and his strong sprint is always a weapon in the flat finale into Oudenaarde.
“I returned to the races after almost two weeks off due to COVID and I think I gave my best at Dwars door Vlaanderen by finishing in the front," Matthews said in a press release. "We did a good job as a team and I think it was good preparation for Flanders on Sunday. It is a big one, an important one and it is always special to race Flanders. The climbs and the crowds are like nothing else. Hopefully, I can continue my recovery, I’m very motivated going into the race and really happy be back racing even if I’m not absolutely 100% just yet.”
Whilst the Australian should be the only contender for a top result, the team is experienced. Zdenek Stybar and Luke Durbridge are two figures who are very acknowledged with the course and will be a very helpful duo. Luka Mezgec, Kelland O'Brien, Blake Quick and Elmar Reinders complete the lineup.
Team Jayco-AlUla for Tour of Flanders: Michael Matthews, Luke Durbridge, Luka Mezgec, Kelland O'Brien, Blake Quick, Elmar Reinders and Zdenek Stybar.
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I see (elsewhere) that Alaphilippe had more to say than what got relayed in this stub. Me: he was very good early but his latter third trajectory was the pits. His old boss did what he could (huffed and puffed) but Julian couldn't get his greatness back. Sometimes I wonder if crashes that didn't look like much changed the course of the rider.flyer14-11-2026
- I wouldn't classify it as a gift because the nasty consequences of taking it from Sepp would have been great and would persist and he knew it.flyer14-11-2026
- Ok. Tratnik's good and Red Bull's better so Tratnik may get what he wants.flyer14-11-2026
- Ok. So just saying he wasn't enjoying racing anymore is some kind of explanation? Me saying I don't enjoy his explanation is more explaining than he did.flyer14-11-2026
- Buitrago, was he their best rider in 2026? He's the chief loss for them and Martinez and Tiberi (especially) have to step up or they will be overtaken by Bahrain's younger riders like Omrzel. I'm still somewhat high on Martinez but Tiberi, after showing signs of promise, has fizzled. Bahrain still has a good team but they need to improve and exceed expectations. I'd be happy if Mohoric could manage to return to his better form for maybe one last year at least.flyer14-11-2026
- Hmmm, "... I just gained 30 seconds purely off the bike. Because it's really a big, big improvement compared to the previous bike". Is that marketing for Specialized or serious valid hype, or something in between? Very likely the former.flyer14-11-2026
- Nothing revelatory or controversial. Why do we have to report on Bruyneel's or Armstrong's thinking. It's a shame and enough that the Move's on TV and that people watch it .flyer14-11-2026
- Makes sense that training from home is a big asset or advantage but it's still remarkable that he can put in three quality majors and not pay some heavy price for the exertion. I wish he would have won that tour stage that his crash while leading allowed Carapaz the win. He's a darn good rider and teammate.flyer14-11-2026
- Sounds like we all agree with the over under exaggeration: "The German’s signing does not guarantee that Evenepoel will win the Tour in 2027. "flyer14-11-2026
- Seixas appears to be that good but if he isn't (an absolute rival to Pogacar) he would have plenty of company in rising stars that did not go on to fully meet the expectations of many. That Pogacar wasn't the greatest (as great) sooner can't be transposed onto another's development. It may be not that simple.flyer14-11-2026
Loading
📰 RACE PREVIEW 📰 💬 “I returned to racing after almost two weeks off due to COVID & I’m very motivated going & happy be back. It is a big one, an important one & it's always special to race Flanders." - @blingmatthews 🇧🇪 #RVV23 line-up & comments⤵️ greenedgecycling.com/2023/03/31/rac…
Write a comment