For Matthews, who is competing in his 14th pro season, it was a remarkable performance that saw him capture his third Milan-San Remo podium—nine years after the Australian scored his first podium here with a third-place finish in 2015.
“Obviously I’m happy with the podium, but being so close, it’s bittersweet,” Matthews said afterward. “I think tomorrow morning I’ll be happy with my performance, but in this moment right now, being this close to a Monument after so many podiums, it’s hard.”
The longest Classic of the year unfolded in typical fashion over the 288km route from Pavia to San Remo. An early break of 11 riders went clear and had a gap of just over two minutes when they hit the Capo Melo climb with 53km to go. The chase heated up after that, and by the time the main group with all the top favorites including Matthews hit the decisive Cipressa climb, it was down to 40 riders.
That group soon passed the remaining breakaway riders, and the battle was on for the final climb, the Poggio, 8km before the finish. Team Jayco-AlUla was well-positioned, with Australian champion Luke Plapp and Davide De Pretto both there to help Matthews.
Despite being sick a week prior, Matthews showed incredible early-season form, sticking with the big attacks. As the leaders hit the final stretch on Via Roma, Matthews powered his Propel Advanced SL bike with a CADEX 50 Ultra WheelSystem to the front. It came down to a bike throw at the line between Matthews, six-time Tour de France stage winner Jasper Philipsen, and two-time Tour de France GC winner Tadej Pogačar. Philipsen narrowly took the win, with Matthews finishing second.
“I think the way I bounced back [from illness], I’m really proud of myself,” said Matthews, who wore the Giant Pursuit helmet and Surge Pro shoes to earn the podium. “Paris-Nice obviously didn’t go to plan, but this is my favorite race of the year. It’s always a race that I love to perform at, and it always puts a smile on my face when I’m on the start line. So to be here in San Remo on the podium, it’s special.”
Matthews Scores Podium at Milan-San Remo Classic!
Monday, 18 March 2024
Teams/Riders
Team Jayco-AlUla rider Michael Matthews powered to a podium finish at Milan-San Remo, narrowly missing the win in a thrilling sprint finish at the season’s first Monument Classic.
After 288km, it came down to a final mad dash between Pogačar, Matthews and Philipsen. Cor Vos photo
Narrowly edged out by a centimeter or so, Matthews said his third career podium at Milan-San Remo felt "bittersweet." Cor Vos photo
Matthews scored his third Milan-San Remo podium nine years after his first. Cor Vos photo
