Mathew Hayman triumphed in one of the most thrilling Monuments in recent memory at last year's Paris-Roubaix, and the Australian rider is back to defend his title this Sunday alongside an increasingly impressive Orica-Scott squad.
The 38-year-old, who turns 39 in two weeks, told the Cyclingnews Podcast on Wednesday that he's feeling strong despite taking a decidedly different road to Roubaix this year from the one he took in his victorious 2016 campaign.
"I had a bit of a different build-up this year as I did last year in many ways," Hayman said. "This year, I was a bit hampered in my preparation in January, my wife and I had twins so that was a new experience, I wasn't able to get to any team training camps. But since Paris-Nice I started to feel that I'm back where I need to be."
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Orica-Scott has delivered strong results in several of the major one-day cobbled races so far this spring with Jens Keukeleire finishing as runner-up in Gent-Wevelgem and Luke Durbridge landing among the top five in both E3 and Gent-Wevelgem. After years as a squad without much to show for its cobbled campaigns, Orica-Scott has multiple bona fide options Sunday, though Hayman pointed out that the team hasn't solidified a leadership hierarchy just yet – and they might wait until midway through the race to do so.
"We haven't had that meeting yet, but – and not just after last year but after 15 years of riding Roubaix – I'm hoping to be in the final, and if I'm not riding myself then helping a teammate deep into the final. We haven't talked specifics yet but I'm the first one to jump in and help if someone has better form and I feel like I'm on my last legs. But that being said I'd love to have another great performance and I'd love to confirm what happened last year and aim to be in the pointy end of the race at the right time," Hayman said.
"Between Compiègne and Roubaix a lot of things can happen and we need to get through certain key sectors with the help of the team, and once we get closer I think it will get a bit clearer to make big decisions about leadership. Right now, as we saw last year, it's probably not necessary.
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