“Not sure what race you watched mate” - Michael Matthews shuts down Instagram hater as World Championship silver medallist bites back at post-race criticism
Cycling
Michael Matthews left Montreal with a World Championship silver medal around his neck and, a few days later, found himself defending how he had raced for it.
The Australian had already been one of the riders questioning the way the chase behind Brandon McNulty played out in the finale, joining Tom Pidcock in raising concerns over trade-team loyalties bleeding across national-team lines.
So when Pidcock posted his own Montreal reaction on Instagram with the caption “Left it all on the road 🌈”, Matthews replied with a simple fire emoji.
One response underneath was rather less complimentary. “You always rode in the wheel, you never attacked or proposed anything, you're a second-rate rider,” one user wrote directly to Matthews.
The 36-year-old didn't take the criticism lying down, and hit back. “Not sure what race you watched mate,” Matthews replied. “Sorry if I didn’t attack enough to make you satisfied but I can assure you I did and I’m very proud of my ride.”
Matthews had spent more than six hours surviving one of the hardest World Championship road races in recent memory before winning the sprint for silver behind McNulty, with Mathieu van der Poel taking bronze.
It was also his second elite road Worlds silver and fourth medal overall, adding to second place in 2015 and bronze medals in 2017 and 2022.
Michael Matthews’ elite World Championship record
| Year | Result |
| 2026 | 2nd |
| 2025 | DNF |
| 2024 | DNF |
| 2023 | DNF |
| 2022 | 3rd |
| 2021 | 25th |
| 2020 | 7th |
| 2019 | 24th |
| 2017 | 3rd |
| 2016 | 4th |
| 2015 | 2nd |
| 2014 | 14th |
| 2013 | DNF |
| 2012 | DNF |
Matthews had already questioned the Montreal finale
His frustration after the finish had centred on what happened before that sprint. “There was a little bit of teamwork between certain riders,” Matthews said of the chase group. “They were riding a little bit together.” If fewer teams had ridden together across national borders, then we would have caught him. It is what it is.”
Pidcock had been even more direct, accusing Isaac del Toro of effectively helping his UAE Team Emirates-XRG trade teammate McNulty despite racing for Mexico. The Briton finished seventh after crashing and fighting his way back into contention, while Matthews stayed with the strongest riders and emerged with silver.
Read also
For Matthews, the result came after two years in which he had already admitted fearing his career might be over, first following a pulmonary embolism in 2025 and then after the crash earlier this season that left him with serious arm injuries.
More than a decade after taking his first elite Worlds silver in Richmond, Matthews was back on the second step of the podium in Montreal. Whatever anyone on Instagram made of how he got there, the Australian clearly had no interest in letting someone else tell him how he should feel about it.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Wout was good, and he was good on Sunday trying to drag Remco back, but I watched the olympics. Remco seemed exception on a course perfect for him, and MVDP was a step behind.mij30-09-2026
- Why would Del Toro help pull back McNulty just to be out sprinted by Matthews, VDP, Simmons... He fired his bullets on his terrain and couldn't get away. Only way he was going to have a chance is in a 2 or 3 up sprintbreckvelo30-09-2026
- Hey Lance, Go away in a reproductive manner!Lobz7730-09-2026
- Context matters. From the way Onley blew up, it was clear that he knew he was struggling and probably told Pidcock that. Simmons finished 4th. Of course, Pidcock could have and should've taken the gamble
Rafionain-Glas30-09-2026 - Great story. Surprises me though that Sagan’s amazing career hasn’t produced more of a legacy of young Slovak talent.Lozza30-09-2026
- Del Toro did a LOT of work in that group, riding on the front and pulling it along. By the time McNulty attacked I should think he was mostly cooked!Lozza30-09-2026
- I don’t entirely agree with this @RidesHills. Whilst I can entertain what you’re arguing, writing off IDT’s inability to follow Pidcock purely as IDT being "gassed" ignores the complex tactical chess match happening on the road. IDT’s body language, in the final kms, showed plenty of hesitation, tactical marking, and looking around. With the addition of the WC pitting teammates against each other, there were several moments that indicated his behaviour was a calculated refusal to destroy McNulty’s, and by that extension, UAE’s chances of maintaining their hold on the rainbow stripes. We know IDT had the ability to win that race, I stand by the belief that he chose not to chase after his team mate. Whilst I was frustrated watching it… I can respect it.anonymouscyclist30-09-2026
- I guess the president is very happy to see one American win in Canada. Leave the president and politicians aside the sports. Was a great victory from a very smart move in the right moment. Quick Step won a lot of classics like this. Having numbers. Del Toro also played some part. Going to blame him? Thats a great friend. Also don't forget McNulty last time in Montreal. He was there with Pogacar. When big guns control each other others can win. Well done McNulty.
PAULO30-09-2026 - Not sure why you are hating on Americans but looking at cycling there are many more Europeans that cheated in cycling than Americans. Looking at the TdF's that Armstrong won, the top 5 -10 in all those doped and weren't Americans.GB30-09-2026
- if you get to within just 10 seconds and can't close the gap that's on you Tom and Mike. both of these losers wanted del Toro to help them which of course wouldn't be cross border collusion, it's only collusion if it's perceived that he's helping someone else besides them. sour grapes all around. bunch of pussies in the UK and Australia. bring a better team next time.whkman30-09-2026
Loading
2 Comments