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Michael Matthews - The New Robbie McEwen
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:04
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Database: PCMDaily 2012 DB V2 Beta
Race difficulty: Hard
Development of attributes: 0.3, Random potential.
This will be my one rider story following the career of young Australian sprinter Michael Matthews
Player bio and a preview to Michaels season ahead will be coming in the next post/s |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:05
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Hi everyone, my name is Michael Matthews. I am from Australia and I was born on September 26th, 1990. I am currently 21 years of age. I currently ride for the Pro Cycling Team Rabobank. This will be my 2nd year riding with them. I enjoyed a pretty successful first year as a pro and am looking forward to improving on that this season!
In my career as a road cycling i've won a total of 15 races, 4 of which came in my first year as a pro, including a stage win at the Tour Down Under, which I was extremely happy about!
I think my proudest moment as a cyclist came when I took the Under-23 World Road Race Championships in my home country! The moment I hit the front and had everyone at the barriers cheering for me will be something that I'll never forget.
Incase some of you readers dont know, I focus as a sprinter and my ultimate career goal would be to win stages in the Grand Tours, especially the Tour de France. I am also ok at riding up hills, at least compared to most other sprinters and I think that will help me greatly.
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:07
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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January
Australian Road Championships
Australian Time Trial Championships
Tour Down Under (6 stages)
February
Tour of Oman (6 stages)
Clasica de Almeria
March
Hel ven het Mergelland
April
Scheldeprijs
Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (8 stages)
May
Tour of California (8 stages)
July
Tour de Pologne (7 stages)
August
Dutch Food Valley Classic
September
Paris - Bruxelles
October
Paris - Tours
Tour of Beijing (5 stages)
A total of 47 race days. That's my current schedule, things could change between now and then. The aim is to peak at the Tour of California and again in October for Paris-Tours and the Tour of Beijing.
That's all from me for now. Next time you hear from me i'll be giving a report on the upcoming Australian Championships, wish me luck!
Edited by Skippy17 on 29-05-2012 08:07
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| Teddy The Creator |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:20
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2253
Joined: 19-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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This looks really nice so far. Good luck with Mike Matthews.. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 15:52
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Bot Agent
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Good luck, Mathews is a good rider choice.
Edited by Eden95 on 29-05-2012 08:23
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| Abelbaba |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:32
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Domestique
Posts: 537
Joined: 13-12-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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good luch with matthews,
he is a very talented rider :-)
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| Vien |
Posted on 29-05-2012 08:33
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
Joined: 16-06-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Good luck, though I don't think Matthews will ever become the new McEwen with his climbing stats |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 09:20
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Australian Road Race Championships
My first race this year, I've been asked to try and get into the breakaway today. I think i'm feeling better than most other riders at this point of the year but we'll see how I go.
Me on my first day, I'm feeling pretty good.
Attacks on the first 2 laps had failed, on the third time round I made an attack and managed to create a quick gap of 50 seconds. David Tanner was the only rider to come with me.
4 riders have tried to cross the gap to myself and Tanner. They have 2 minutes to catch up though and I wont be waiting for them.
They did end up managing to cross the gap and so with 70km to go there are 6 of us with a 6 minute game to the peloton.
40km left and the gap has come down, I've been told that the riders from Team Sky have been chasing us down. We have 3'30 on them, it's gonna be close.
With 10km to go we still have a lead of 1'50! We should be able to hang on but I'm expecting some of the favourites like Evans and Gerrans to try and attack.
Evans, Porte, Haussler and Allan Davis have attacked!
The final sprint has started. Evans and co. have been caught. I have a chance to win this...
1km to go. I've made progress. Tanner is moving fast on the right but I think I can come back.
Not today. Tanner just hangs on, very disappointed to come so close. Maybe next year.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | David Tanner | Team Saxo Bank | 4h42'01 | | 2 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 3 | Jonathan Clarke | UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 4 | Zakkari Dempster | Endura Racing | s.t. | | 5 | Cameron Wurf | Champion System Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | | 6 | Fabio Calabria | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 7 | Allan Davis | Orica - GreenEdge | + 1'31 | | 8 | Stuart O'Grady | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 9 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 10 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 09:22
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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@ Teddy, Eden and Abelbaba - thanks guys 
@ Vien - yeah that is true haha. I was going to say Matthew Goss but he's still pretty young for a cyclist and I wanted someone a bit older |
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| baggieboys32 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 09:23
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Sprinter
Posts: 1981
Joined: 01-10-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Unlucky is the RR, but Matthews is a great choice, should be a lot of fun to write about and follow
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 09:40
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Australian Time Trial Championships
Same as before
No expectations to win here. Just build up my fitness but I would be happy with myself if I could manage a top 10 finish. I came 3rd last year but we have all the stronger riders here like Porte and Evans.
I start around the middle today. Here's me just leaving the start.
I go through the first time check in 12th 45 seconds down.
I come across the line in provisional 6th 47 seconds down.
The winner today though was Richie Porte. He came in 30 seconds faster than Bobridge in 2nd. I finished in 12th, a respectable ride.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Richie Porte | Sky Procycling | 54'33 | | 2 | Jack Bobridge | Orica - GreenEdge | + 30 | | 3 | Cadel Evans | BMC Racing Team | + 34 | | 4 | Adam Hansen | Lotto Belisol Team | + 55 | | 5 | Cameron Meyer | Orica - GreenEdge | + 57 | | 6 | Heinrich Haussler | Garmin - Barracuda | + 1'12 | | 7 | Luke Durbridge | Orica - GreenEdge | + 1'26 | | 8 | Michael Rogers | Sky Procycling | + 1'28 | | 9 | Michael Hepburn | Orica - GreenEdge | + 1'32 | | 10 | Ben Day | UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team | + 1'40 | | 12 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 1'44 |
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| Abelbaba |
Posted on 29-05-2012 10:22
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Domestique
Posts: 537
Joined: 13-12-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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nice ride's in the championships,
better luck next season at the RR |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 10:32
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I will be the leadout for Renshaw today. There are alot of strong sprinters in Australia, including Greipel, Goss, Farrar and Rojas. It will be tough to compete against those trains.
The break of the day. 12 Riders, van Winden is there. Ben Swift and Danilo Hondo are other notable riders in this group.
van Winden takes 2nd place in the first intermediate sprint.
The break were brought back with 8km to go so we'll have a bunch sprint. Here is our train with just over 5km to go. That's Renshaw at the bottom with me infront of him.
Stef Clement got to the front but I got boxed in and couldnt follow him. It's gonna be difficult to bring Renshaw into a good position here. Greipel has the perfect leadout at the moment.
Things go from bad to worse! Renshaw couldnt stay on my wheel either and he is well back trying to fight back but it's way too late now. I'm on Hutarovich's wheel at the moment. I dont know how much longer I can sprint for.
Greipel takes the win. I managed to come up and finish in 9th place. Not a bad result considering I sprinted from a bit further out.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | André Greipel | Lotto Belisol Team | 3h30'01 | | 2 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 3 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 4 | Yauheni Hutarovich | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 5 | Borut Božic | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 6 | Francisco José Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 | Elia Viviani | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 8 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 9 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Jürgen Roelandts | Lotto Belisol Team | s.t. |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 11:01
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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A tough finish. Our GC leader Martens will have to keep a watch out incase anyone tries to sneak away. Frank Schleck and Uran. Renshaw doesnt think he will be able to contest the sprint today so I have been given the opportunity to go for a high result if it comes to a sprint.
The break of the day. Surprisingly Uran is there.
THey were brought back pretty early. 30km to go. Expecting some attacks from the favourites.
With 5km to go I am positioned fairly well next to Martens, who is next to Greipel. Meanwhile infront, Dumoulin and Elmiger have attacked. I dont know if they'll be able to hang on.
I fell back a little bit as the sprint started. Martens is in a great spot at the moment.
Dumoulin beats Elmiger in the sprint. Martens comes in behind Rojas to finish 4th. I came in just outside the top 10.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | 3h55'21 | | 2 | Martin Elmiger | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 3 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | + 14 | | 4 | Paul Martens | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 5 | Jan Bakelants | RadioShack - Nissan | s.t. | | 6 | Andrey Amador | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 7 | Benoît Vaugrenard | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 8 | Julien El Fares | Team Type 1 - Sanofi | s.t. | | 9 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 10 | Jonathan Castroviejo | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 15 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 12:26
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Good Luck with this rider story Skippy |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 13:34
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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@sutty - Thanks
A flat stage today. We'll try and set Renshaw up for this finish better today.
The break of the day. Hunt, Ignatiev, Oss and Turgot the notable riders here.
They wouldnt survive today and we'll have a sprint finish.
With 4km to go we almost have the perfect leadout at the moment. van Winden, Tjallingi and myself are at the front but as you can see Renshaw is having trouble keeping onto my wheel. Hopefully he can get back.
2km to go, Tjallingi has put me into a good position to accelerate. Vaitkus is between me and Renshaw. The Lotto train is moving up fast on the left side.
I've done all I can, it's up to Renshaw now. Rojas is coming up fast.
Greipel is just far too good. Renshaw came through in 6th. Looks like he didnt have the legs to accelerate like the others did. At least we got our train right, which is good this early into the season!
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | André Greipel | Lotto Belisol Team | 3h13'38 | | 2 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 3 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 4 | Yauheni Hutarovich | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 5 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | s.t. | | 6 | Mark Renshaw | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. | | 7 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 8 | Tomas Vaitkus | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 9 | Robert Hunter | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 10 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 15 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. |
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | 10h38'50 | | 2 | André Greipel | Lotto Belisol Team | + 4 | | 3 | Martin Elmiger | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | | 4 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | + 14 | | 5 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | + 16 | | 6 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEdge | + 18 | | 7 | Lucas Sebastián Haedo | Team Saxo Bank | + 20 | | 8 | Mikhail Ignatiev | Katusha Team | s.t. | | 9 | Dennis Van Winden | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 21 | | 10 | Daniel Oss | Liquigas - Cannondale | s.t. | | 12 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 24 |
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| Skippy17 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 13:59
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Under 23
Posts: 58
Joined: 29-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Another flat stage, another chance for Renshaw to get a high finish.
The break of the day. The winds are very high today.
Renshaw and I both went for the time bonuses in the intermediate sprint. Renshaw let me come through to take first spot and he came through in 2nd.
They were brought back with 8km left.
This is how it looks with 3km to go. I couldnt quite get to the front so Renshaw will have a bit of work to do.
Van Hummel takes the surprise win today. Renshaw just didnt have it today. Back in the field I heard there was a big crash and only 40 riders made it back in the peloton. Unfortunately Martens was caught in it and lost around 2 minutes.
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Kenny Van Hummel | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | 3h16'47 | | 2 | Borut Božic | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | | 3 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 4 | Robert Hunter | Garmin - Barracuda | s.t. | | 5 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 6 | André Greipel | Lotto Belisol Team | s.t. | | 7 | Yauheni Hutarovich | FDJ - BigMat | s.t. | | 8 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | | 9 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | | 10 | Jürgen Roelandts | Lotto Belisol Team | s.t. | | 21 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | s.t. |
| Rank | Name | Team | Time | | 1 | Samuel Dumoulin | Cofidis, le crédit en ligne | 13h55'37 | | 2 | André Greipel | Lotto Belisol Team | + 4 | | 3 | Matthew Goss | Orica - GreenEdge | + 12 | | 4 | José JoaquÃn Rojas | Movistar Team | + 14 | | 5 | Daryl Impey | Orica - GreenEdge | + 18 | | 6 | Michael Matthews | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 21 | | 7 | Mark Renshaw | Rabobank Cycling Team | + 22 | | 8 | Gerald Ciolek | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | + 24 | | 9 | Francisco José Ventoso | Movistar Team | s.t. | | 10 | Jürgen Roelandts | Lotto Belisol Team | s.t. |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 29-05-2012 15:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Going Good Michael, 6th overall with 2 stages left |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 29-05-2012 15:39
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Very well presentation, I'm really enjoying this! I love Australian riders, and I really liked McEwen, so good luck taking his place as a great sprinter. Having some HILLS will be really useful in the future (Milan -San Remo etc). Good luck at the next stage in the TDU! |
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| Abelbaba |
Posted on 29-05-2012 16:18
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Domestique
Posts: 537
Joined: 13-12-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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looking good so far,
good luck on wellunga hill |
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