Australia’s Michael Matthews was not chosen for the Tokyo Olympics however simply representing his nation in Paris was not sufficient. The 33-year-old needed to be combating for the medal however narrowly missed the group that went on to combat for bronze. behind Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and Valentin Madouas (France).
Matthews completed a disillusioned fifteenth on the finish of the 273-kilometre route within the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
“It did not go in accordance with plan, for instance,” Matthews instructed Cyclingnews.
“Obviously we needed to be combating for a medal as we speak so I’m clearly disillusioned.”
The course, peppered with quick, sharp climbs together with the ultimate cobbled Montmartre ascent with 9.4km to go, suited the three-time podium finisher in Milan-San Remo however the small groups for the Olympic Games was a detriment for Australia, who solely had three riders in contrast with the four-man groups that the entire medal winners loved.
“I feel legs have been good on the climb. I used to be in all probability one of many few that wasn’t that far off the [Mathieu] Van der Poel/[Wout] Van Aert group, so clearly ending the place I completed is disappointing.
“I feel when you’ve gotten groups like Belgium with two clear leaders, they’ll run two sport plans with Van Aert and Evenepoel. They can run Evenepoel with an extended transfer and Van Aert for a lowered dash. So I feel that was key as we speak however when you’ve gotten choices with 4 riders in comparison with three, it’s harder to have that sport plan.”
Another main grievance from riders was the shortage of race radios and issues with the timing board. Matthews added that the race numbers, that are sequential as a substitute of being grouped in 10s by group like a standard UCI race, made it obscure what was taking place.
“People are usually not of their regular jerseys, and with the totally different numbers – wanting on the board from the motorcycle, you haven’t any thought who’s in entrance. So it is a bit chaos, but it surely’s the identical for everyone,” he mentioned.
Matthews is not giving up on his Olympic dream. Even at 33 and as a debutant, he needs one other shot in Los Angeles in 2028.
“We’ll see. I’m 33 now so let’s examine hopefully yet one more, one other shot however I should wait a few years now.”
