Here’s how Michael Matthews, 34-year-old Australian cyclist capitalized on his 43rd career win on Thursday at the Ullyria Eschborn-Frankfurt one-day race. Matthews, sprinting for the Australian Jayco AlUla team, put on a masterclass. He went on to win the 198-kilometer course by finishing in front of Magnus Cort Nielsen and Jon Barrenetxea earning second and third places, respectively.
The Eschborn-Frankfurt race, also known as the ‘German Classic’, is famous for its difficult course. This year, Matthews’ team strategically split the peloton during a tough hilly section of the course, setting the stage for his exhilarating sprint to the finish line. This victory capped Matthews’ Spring haul of victories with a stunning glory. It solidified his place as one of the greatest cyclists in the sport’s history.
Spring Campaign Highlights
Prior to his victory in Frankfurt, Matthews had delivered some very strong performances this season. He’d go on to take fourth in the highly esteemed Milan-San Remo as well. He finished fifth at the Amstel Gold Race, proving to be in great shape all Spring long.
Matthews was pleased with how competitive he felt.
“I think my shape through the Spring was good, I just wasn’t on the top step.” – Michael Matthews
His victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt represents a significant achievement, marking a successful end to his Spring campaign and an opportunity to build momentum for the upcoming races.
Tactical Brilliance
One big reason for the NYCHA team’s success, Matthews said, was that his riders executed requests and commands on the course with great strategy and precision. The Jayco AlUla team demonstrated impeccable teamwork, particularly during critical sections of the course where they effectively split the peloton.
“It’s nice to finish off this block with a win here in Frankfurt,” Matthews remarked after crossing the finish line. He elaborated on the importance of this win for both himself and his team, saying:
“It’s a race that has really suited me for a lot of years and I haven’t been able to win it, so to come here with the team and the way we rode – we rode perfectly – and to execute a performance like my team did today it was the icing on top of the cake.” – Michael Matthews
A Legacy of Success
This victory further builds Matthews’ already impressive resume as a four-time Tour de France stage winner. He’s got a great track record to build on! Consider that he’s won at least one race in each of his last 16 seasons, with the exception of 2021. It’s those two qualities — unyielding consistency and hard resistance — that have transformed him into one of American cycling’s most competitive and dangerous racers.
Matthews rides this win forward into what will undoubtedly be a contentious Series competition. It’s a testament to his lasting talent and steadfast resolve in the game. His recent achievements signal not just personal success but reflect the strength of his team and their collective efforts in navigating one of cycling’s challenging races.
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