Michael Matthews out of action until further notice after "signs of a pulmonary embolism"

There will be no Tour de France appearance for Michael Matthews in 2025. In fact, there will be no racing at all for the Australian until further notice.

This concerning news comes from an official press release by Matthews' Team Jayco AlUla. "During a recent altitude training camp, GreenEDGE Cycling Medical Team discovered signs of a pulmonary embolism," begins the announcement posted to the team's official website, explaining how the team has "subsequently decided to pause all physical activity for the rider until further notice, as a precautionary measure."

For those unaware, a pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, usually caused by a blood clot that travels from the legs or other parts of the body. This blockage can reduce or stop blood flow to parts of the lung, making it harder to breathe and putting strain on the heart. At worst, it can also be a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

"Matthews’ health condition is stable," Team Jayco AlUla confirm though thankfully. "The Medical Team are now thoroughly investigating the extent of the issue and possible cause, to define a safe and optimal recovery process for the athlete. During this period of investigation, as a safeguarding measure, Matthews will refrain from competition to ensure there is no risk to his health and well-being, therefore ruling out his participation in the upcoming Tour de France."

We'd like to also send out our best wishes to Matthews from all involved at CyclingUpToDate.