Matthews out for revenge in Milan-San Remo: "I scouted the finale nearly 30 times this winter"

Last year, Matthews came agonizingly close to his first Monument victory but was caught in the final meters by Jasper Philipsen. "When I was sprinting to the line, I really thought I was going to win. With 25 meters to go, I was still in the lead. I’ve watched the replay so many times since then."

During his sprint, the Australian’s sunglasses flew off, causing him to lose focus and valuable time. "My glasses had never fallen off in a sprint before, so I was really surprised. When they fell, I immediately lost concentration—that's just my natural reaction. And at that moment, Jasper passed me in the sprint."

"At first, it was really hard to accept finishing second," reflects the four-time Tour de France stage winner. "When you know you were so close to your first Monument victory, it hurts—especially because it’s Milan-San Remo. But I’ve worked hard this year, and I hope to be in contention for the win again."

And according to Matthews, that is definitely possible, as the race suits him well. "This race fits me perfectly. It’s a very long course, and in the finale, it often comes down to a small group sprinting for the win. Hopefully, I have better luck this year, and my glasses stay on, haha."

But his excitement for La Primavera isn’t just about the race itself. "Racing in Italy, with the passionate fans lining the roads from Milan to San Remo, will always be special to me. And the finish is only 30 kilometers from Monaco, where I live. That makes it even better."

Still, Milan-San Remo is not just about enjoyment. "The Cipressa and Poggio are always brutal, especially when you’ve already ridden 260 kilometers. It’s always a true man-to-man battle, with so many riders giving everything just to survive those two climbs and be in contention at the finish. That’s what keeps me coming back—the race is always thrilling."

That the Jayco-AlUla rider is lining up with big ambitions is clear from his preparation. "This past winter, I scouted the final 20 times. Maybe I shouldn’t wait for the sprint and try something unexpected. But Milan-San Remo is always a lottery. Millions of scenarios run through your head about what you should do, but you never know if it’s the right one."

"Besides, the competition is huge," Matthews continues. "If Pogacar is on the start list, he’s always the top favorite. The way he rode in Strade Bianche was simply unreal. But for Pogacar, this is the hardest Monument to win because the finale isn’t really tough enough for him. So, there are plenty of opportunities for other riders, as we’ve seen in past years."

"I don’t see myself as a favorite, but I know how strong I am right now. I have a great team around me, and I trust my own ability. Last year, I was so close, so I believe I can be in the fight for victory again. One thing’s for sure—I will never give up," he concludes.