Mat Hayman went into 2016 wanting an improvement in the classics and a start at the Tour de France. On February 27 it appeared both ambitions had been detonated by a crash in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad that left him with a broken arm. The rest, as they say, is history as the 38-year-old ended his season with a standing ovation at the Australian cyclist of of the year awards where he was feted and awarded the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal.
What could very well have been Hayman's last season as a professional became his best yet with Paris-Roubaix victory and a Tour de France that finished in Paris in his second attempt. Victory in the 'hell of the north' on the 15th attempt was made even sweeter by the fact that he bettered a four-time winner of the race, Belgian Tom Boonen.
"Yeah, very much so. I am not so used to that kind of attention," Hayman told Cyclingnews of how his success has ensured he is enjoying a very different kind of off-season compared to past year. "Some of it I brought upon myself and said yes to a few events but it has been really good. Having a room full of people of how they were yelling at a TV at two in the morning doesn't get old. It has been really nice."
ADVERTISEMENT
Of all the race wins in 2016, Hayman's victory on April 10 was arguably one of the most significant and not just in season narrative. Hayman first rode Paris-Roubaix in 2000 and since the turn of the millennium he only missed two editions. One of those years was 2007 when Stuart O'Grady made history and became the first Australian to win the race. That victory helped raise the profile among Australian sporting fans who have shared their experience with Hayman since his victory, surprising him with their equal affection for the cobbles.
"Not only did I win it, I finished every time I started and that's 15 times now. The race runs deep with me. It has been significant to see so many Australian following that race, they didn't have any reason to believe an Australian would win this year, and they were all up at two in the morning following Paris-Roubaix," Hayman reflected on a race that he's said he'll never get sick of taking about, and a victory that has certainly changed his life.
"I thought I had a bit of an ownership for loving that race but it seems a lot of Australians love to watch it as well. To hear the stories of what people were doing and their memories seven months later where they were has been very nice to hear."
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2gzFQcO
No comments:
Post a Comment