Michael Matthews leads Jayco at E3 Saxo Classic: "I haven’t had a lot of success there in the past, but I am looking to change that this year"

After his second place at Milano-Sanremo, Michael Matthews is carrying great form and some high ambitions into the cobbled classics. The Australian rider leads Team Jayco AlUla at the E3 Saxo Classic where he will be a contender for the podium.

“The E3 Saxo Classic is a race I really look forward to. I haven’t had a lot of success there in the past, but I am looking to change that this year," Matthews said in a press release. "I think we have a strong team so can’t wait to start the Belgian classics.”

The Australian rider is once again aiming for Flanders and the classics ahead of it this year, E3 being an important one this week. He will be the absolute leader. The team counts on experienced figures such as Luke Durbridge and Max Walscheid who will prefer the flatter races. Elmar Reinders, Amund Jansen, Kelland O'Brien and Blake Quick complete the lineup.

“E3 is possibly one of the hardest cobbled classics on the calendar," Team DS and former Paris-Roubaix winner Matthew Hayman added. "The climbs are unrelenting, and the riders tend to open the race very early. We have Michael Matthews coming off a fantastic ride in Milano-Sanremo to lead our team and he will be supported by some very experienced classics riders.”

Team Jayco AlUla for E3 Saxo Classic:

Max Walscheid, Elmar Reinders, Amund Grøndahl Jansen, Kell O’Brien, Michael Matthews, Luke Durbridge and Blake Quick.