Nat Bromhead
Rodez, France: Michael ‘Bling’ Matthews of Team Sunweb has enjoyed a stunning uphill win at Stage 14 of the Tour de France in Rodez, the Aussie outsprinting Greg Van Avermaet, Edvald Boasson-Hagen, Phillipe Gilbert and fellow Aussie Jay McCarthy for the win.
With a steep 500 metre climb right at the end of the stage, Matthews was the name on everyone’s lips, the Australian ‘puncheur’, perfectly suited for the sharp uphill finish. Asked how he felt about beating Olympic Road Race Champion Greg Van Avermaet to the line, Matthews said it was “the perfect day.”
‘Dream Come True’
“Last time we finished on this finish, 2 years ago, I did this finish with 4 broken ribs and skin all off my body,” he said. “Back then it was a stage I was really targeting before my crash. To come back and win it like this, it’s really a dream come true.”
It was Team Sunweb’s second stage win in as many days, following Warren Barguil’s Bastille Day victory in Foix.
Froome Back In Yellow
In General Classification Chris Froome is back in yellow after gaining time on Fabio Aru of Astana, who had worn yellow for two stages.
Froome is now 19 seconds ahead of Aru, and 23 seconds ahead of second-placed Romain Bardet of AG2R La Mondial.
The Tour de France continues with Stage 15 on Sunday, a 189km stage from Laissac-Severac l’Eglise to Le Puy-en-Velay.
Full coverage is being broadcast on SBS TV as well as online. Bicycling Australia are here at the Tour bringing you daily highlights via our website and social channels.
