Matthews scores cycling win before worlds

Saturday, 14 September 2019:

MICHAEL MATTHEWS of Australia riding for Team Sunweb celebrates on the podium after winning the green points jersey of the 2017 Le Tour de France in Paris, France.
MICHAEL MATTHEWS of Australia riding for Team Sunweb celebrates on the podium after winning the green points jersey of the 2017 Le Tour de France in Paris, France.


Australian cycling star Michael Matthews has shown he's on target for the world road championships by successfully defending his title in Quebec.

Matthews outsprinted an elite field to take out the 201.6km Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec.

Three-time world champion Peter Sagan was second and Belgian star Greg Van Avermaet was third.

It's a timely boost for the 28-year-old Canberra native near the end of a tough season.

Matthews suffered concussion when he crashed out of Paris-Nice in March.

Then Sunweb's Tour de France plans were upended when team leader Tom Dumoulin was forced out of the race through injury.

Matthews' Tour preparations had focused on supporting Dumoulin and after the Dutchman was forced to withdraw, he was unable to score any big results himself in the race.

But winning again in Quebec is a strong sign for Matthews before the September 29 men's elite road race at the Yorkshire worlds.

Matthews won silver at the worlds in 2015 behind Sagan and he will be one of the protected riders again in a strong Australian line-up.

"I'm very happy that the hard work is finally paying off," Matthews said.

"I worked super hard after the Tour to get ready at the end of the season. It's nice to get something back from all the hard work since my crash in Paris-Nice and then after the Tour de France."






AAP