Michael Matthews was best of the rest at the World Championships after he was nudged out for third place by Tom Boonen in the sprint finish of the men's road race. The pair locked elbows as they sprinted for the line but it was the former world champion that took the remaining spot on the podium.
Matthews admitted in the build-up to the race that the Doha circuit was not one that suited him well. It didn't do anything to quell the disappointment for the Australian, who opted to take some time away from the press and his team to reflect on the result. Matthews may have been feeling frustrated with the outcome, but his national coach Brad McGee was proud of the way he conducted himself.
"As far as the Australian campaign goes I don't have anything to say other than huge respect for Michael's effort in the sprint," Australian coach Brad McGee said. "He positioned himself well, helped by Mathew Hayman, and he's hit out at the right time and the right side for the win. It wasn't a line-scabbing bronze medal he was going for the win. I think that Australia will really respect that. It's all in, and we'll support him. I know that he's probably a bit pissed off.
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"The fact that he went for the victory and the boys put him there that's the reason we can leave here proud of Australia… I haven't seen him but he's showing his level of maturity is increasing each year, and he's moved himself from the scene to deal with his disappointment."
Matthews and Australia had gone into the day hoping for a tough race to whittle down the group, and that is just what they got. As many had expected, the Belgians blew the race apart on one of the few corners in the opening stretch of the route. There was a mad scramble for position behind, and only 19 riders were lucky enough to find themselves on the right side of the divide and stay there.
"Every single person knew where you needed to be and you all don't fit on the same piece of road. It was always going to happen," explained Hayman, who was the only other Australia rider to make the split.
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