Michael Matthews won the World Under 23 Road Race Championships in October last year, ahead of John Degenkolb and Taylor Phinney. Matthews has managed to successfully carry that form into his debut year in the professional ranks for Rabobank, with three victories so far.
“I really like the pro racing, it suits me a lot better then under 23 racing,” he told VeloNation. “I think there is a few things I need to learn but I’m really enjoying learning and finding out new things about myself.”
Still only 20 years old, the Australian could not have had a better start to the year when he won his first race in the Tour Down Under, the traditional season opener on the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) calendar.
He went on to finish fourth overall and second in the points classification, ahead of more experienced sprinters such as Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel.
Degenkolb has also made his debut as a professional this year with HTC-Highroad, successfully winning six races.
On being asked why he and the young German have been so good in their first season, Matthews said, “John [and I] raced each other a lot last year and we are both pretty much the same type of rider. A lot of the races so far have really suited our style of racing, and just having a bit of confidence and a good team around you helps a lot.”
Some saw it as a surprise when Matthews announced during last year’s transfer season that he’d be riding with the Dutch team Rabobank. He joined fellow Australian Graeme Brown on the squad.
“I signed with Rabobank because they where interested in me for two years and was always in contact with me. [They] only had two sprinters. One is Oscar Freire, one of the most experienced sprinters in the bunch with I don't know how many world championships, and Theo Bos, who is an amazing sprinter as well. So if I had them around to help me learn the way around the bunch and give me pointers, that’s many years of experience right there.”
Matthews is a future Classics hopeful, having finished second in the U23 Ronde van Vlaanderen. He is also seen as a good time trialist. His worst finish in the race against the clock this season has been thirteenth in Vuelta a Murcia.