Australian Michael Matthews produced a powerful finishing burst to claim the under-23 men’s crown at the world road race cycling championships yesterday.
Matthews, 20, finished the 159km race ahead of Germany’s John Degenkolb and Taylor Phinney of the US, who took the bronze medal.
Matthews, who races for the Jayco team but is set for a professional contract on the Pro Tour next year, kept his composure amid a bunch of about 30 riders as they powered toward the slightly uphill finish of the 10-lap race.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Degenkolb launched his sprint with about 250m to go ot the line, but Matthews played a waiting game before digging deep and overtaking the German to win with room to spare.
As well as being Australia’s first gold medal in the category, it is their first of the five-day championships, which continue with the women’s road race today and end tomorrow with the blue riband of the elite men’s 267.2km race.
Matthews, who has only been racing for four years, based his whole season around the race and was lost for words to describe his feat.
“I’m speechless, I don’t know what to say,” said Matthews, who was quick to share the glory with his hard-working teammates. “They were with me the whole time, on the front run for me, being around me the whole time, making sure I had drinks, water, food, always asking me how I was. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The early stages of the race were dominated by Ben King of the US, the under-23 rider who stunned a host of more established names recently to win the US elite national road race championships.
King’s early attack led, coincidentally, to him being chased down by Australian namesake Ben King, but the efforts of both riders ultimately left them trailing as the race wore on.
Held on the same circuit to be used by the women and men this weekend, the course’s two main climbs failed to eliminate as many riders as expected.
Matthews’ team upped the pace in the last few laps, before a series of attacks, notably from Frenchman Tony Gallopin, sparked the finale into life.
Gallopin ultimately failed to distance his chasers on the descent from the final climb and at the last corner leading to the home straight the main bunch had reformed.
Matthews had started among the favorites and kept the home fans happy with a superb victory for which he produced a vibrant celebration.
“There was a lot of pressure, but it worked on my side, so everyone felt like they had to beat me instead of me beat them,” he said. “So I started off really well and finished better, I can’t really say any more.”
Phinney’s bronze medal comes two days after he won gold in the under-23 time trial.
RIDERS FAIL DOPE TESTS
Reuters, PARIS
Vuelta a Espana runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and fellow Spaniard David Garcia Da Pena have tested positive for a banned substance, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Thursday.
The two riders, who are Xacobeo teammates, tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch, the UCI said.
“Earlier today, the UCI advised Spanish riders David Garcia Da Pena and Ezequiel Mosquera of their Adverse Analytical Findings [presence of hydroxyethyl starch based on reports from the WADA accredited laboratory in Cologne] in the urine samples collected from them at an in-competition test at the Vuelta on 16 Sept. 2010,” the statement said.
Hydroxyethyl starch is a plasma substitute that increases blood volume, allowing red cells to continue to deliver oxygen to the body, improving performance.
Mosquera, who could face a two-year ban, told a press conference: “It’s a situation that the national bodies need to sort out. In any case, it will be a minor punishment or a warning. We will have to try to clear up the issue in the next few days. My conscience is clear. I don’t feel guilty.”
The new scandal erupted after the UCI said earlier on Thursday that Tour de France champion Alberto Contador of Spain had failed a dope test in this year’s race.
“Mr David Garcia Da Pena and Ezequiel Mosquera have the right to request and attend the analyses of their B samples,” the UCI added.
Mosquera, who lost out to Italian Vincenzo Nibali in the Spanish race earlier this month, had just agreed on a two-year deal with Dutch team Vacansoleil.
“The rider from Galicia recently signed an agreement with the Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team for 2011 and 2012,” Vacansoleil said in a statement. “Vacansoleil has strict anti-doping rules and Mosquera is aware of these. The contract with Mosquera would become valid as from the 1st January 2011. This contract is now up for discussion.”
Team manager Daan Luijkx said: “I’m unpleasantly surprised. We have a zero tolerance policy in accordance with anti-doping regulations, but first all facts need to be clear to us.”
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