BACK TO THE FUTURE
DRIPPING BLOOD ON THE PODIUM IS NEVER IDEAL. But for Michael Matthews a battered right hand, courtesy of an impromptu scrape with the Poggio, was little cause for concern following a return to World Tour racing in August that defied all expectations. With his main mission for the disrupted 2020 season, the Giro d’Italia, looming large we caught up to talk everything from his ongoing COVID-19 concerns and Tour de France non-selection, to the postponed Tokyo Olympics and the looming chance to, possibly, win a second rainbow jersey on home soil in 2022.
BICYCLING AUSTRALIA: IT WAS CERTAINLY A DRAMATIC RETURN TO RACING FOR YOU BACK IN AUGUST, MICHAEL. YOU INJURED YOUR HAND IN THE FINALE OF MILANO-SANREMO, BUT STILL MANAGED TO WIN THE BUNCH SPRINT FOR THIRD.
MICHAEL MATTHEWS: Honestly, even now I’m still wondering “what the hell happened?” I was attacking on the right side of the road. Van Aert and Alaphilippe were attacking on the left. I was out of the seat, sprinting, and a rider in front of me moved right just as I was coming past and put me into a rock wall. It was like a cheese grater. I looked down at my glove and there was blood everywhere. I wasn’t sure if I should go directly to hospital or finish the race, but the final of Sanremo is what you dream about. Coming
