Michael Matthews takes 10th Grand Tour stage win at Giro d’Italia

After Jai Hindley’s ground-breaking win last year, we haven’t needed to wait long for more Aussie success at the Giro.

Australian Cycling Team rider Michael Matthews has won stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia, taking his total of Grand Tour stage victories to 10.

The stage played out in signature ‘Bling’ fashion: a punchy uphill finish after a hard finale that saw the pure sprinters dropped from the peloton.

With a clear plan to ride for Matthews, Team Jayco-AlUla took charge on the 213-kilometre stage in southern Italy, setting a fierce tempo on two categorised climbs in the last 40 kilometres.

While Matthews sat well-positioned at the head of the peloton, bigger sprinters such as Mark Cavendish, Jonathan Milan and former world champion Mads Pedersen went out the back, although the latter would rejoin on the descent.

After one last turn by Callum Scotson, Matthews rewarded his team’s efforts, launching with 200 metres to go and holding off Pedersen on the uphill kick. Queensland’s Kaden Groves sprinted to third, putting two Aussies inside the top three.

It was Matthews’ first victory since his spectacular win at Mende in the 2022 Tour de France, and since taking bronze in the world championship in Wollongong.

Although the Canberran started his season well in Australia, COVID-19 and a crash took him out of the Spring Classics. Such was the disappointment, Matthews had considered retirement.

"A couple of weeks ago, I was contemplating whether I wanted to do this anymore. I had a few weeks off the bike to assess my situation and spoke with some people to help me with my decision," Matthews revealed after the race.

"But I knew that cycling is my sport, my goal, my hobby, my dream. I wouldn't want to do something else. I'm getting emotional, now but this isn't just another win. it's something special."

"To come back and win in the Giro like I did here on a tough parcours – it's not just another win, it's a win for the whole team. And it's a win for everyone involved in helping me get back to the top level of my sport."

Matthews, who is originally from Vikings Cycling Club in the ACT, moves up to eighth overall behind race leader Remco Evenepoel.

With the Giro just getting started, Australia’s GC hopefuls Jay Vine and Jack Haig remain nicely poised in ninth and 25th respectively..

Hindley is not defending his title in this year’s Giro. He will target the Tour de France instead.

Results – Stage 3

1. Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) (AUS) 5:01:41
2. Mads Pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.
3. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) (AUS)
4. Vincenzo Albanese (EOLO-Kometa)
5. Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
6. Sven Erik Bystrøm (Intermarché - Circus - Wanty)
7. Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma)
8. Simone Velasco (Astana Qazaqstan Team)
9. Toms Skujiņš (Trek – Segafredo)
10. Andrea Vendrame (AG2R Citroën Team)

Overall standings - Australian riders

1. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal - Quick Step) 10:18:07
8. Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) +1:02
9. Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) +1:08
25. Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) +1:58
51. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +3:10
64. Callum Scotson (Team Jayco AlUla) +4:53
91. Sebastian Berwick (Israel-Premier Tech) +8:14
117. Rohan Dennis (Jumbo-Visma) +13:26
123. Michael Hepburn (Team Jayco AlUla) +16:35
154. Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) +18:50

Photo: Sprint Cycling / Giro d'Italia