No Caleb Ewan at Milano-Sanremo, but team Jayco AlUla confident in alternative: "Michael Matthews we will be aiming to be gunning for the win"

Caleb Ewan has finished in the podium of Milano-Sanremo already on several occasions. Recently he has not shown the best form but the Australian was set to be protected by Team Jayco AlUla; but the team will now fully focus on Michael Matthews.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to Milano-San Remo, I missed it last year due to Covid, but it’s one of my favourite races of the season and definitely the most beautiful of the year in my opinion," Matthews said in a press release. "Unfortunately, I got sick in Paris-Nice so had to abandon, but I’ve had some time to recover now and I’ve got some good training in this week, so I’m ready to go.”

Luke Plapp and Alessandro De Marchi will be key support in the ascents of the Cipressa and Poggio di Sanremo. 'Bling' already finished five times in the Top10 and twice on the podium - in 2015 and 2020. A strong puncheur, he absolutely has the legs to ride around the best in the Poggio di Sanremo however he needs a perfect day with strong climbing and sprinting. He comes off the back of a very modest start to the season

“The first Monument of the year his here and with Michael Matthews we will be aiming to be gunning for the win when the race swings onto the famous Via Roma," team DS Matthew Hayman added. "Milano-San Remo is always an exciting nail-biting finish after a long day in the saddle, Michael has a strong team around him who will be there to support and position him into key points, so we are ready.”