Michael Matthews has seen his spring racing programme wiped out after breaking his wrists in a crash (Photo: Fabio Ferrari)
Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) has seen his spring campaign wiped out, ahead of some of his biggest goals of the year, after breaking both of his wrists in a training ride crash on Thursday.
"Unfortunately Team Jayco AlUla leader Michael Matthews suffered a crash whilst out training today, Thursday, March 5th, and was transferred to hospital," the Australian World Tour team said in a statement.
"Team medical staff have confirmed that CT-scan results show fractures to both of his wrists, subsequently ruling him out of all upcoming races. He was set to line-up on Sunday at his first major WorldTour test of the season, the gruelling eight-day Paris-Nice.
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"Matthews is now in direct contact with team medical staff and will have extensive support to aid a swift recovery," the team said, adding he had been in good form of late and wishing him a speedy recovery.
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The Australian rider, who was forced to take a break from racing last year for a time for treatment for a cardiac issue, won Ruta de la Cerámica (1.1) on Mallorca in late January and has taken big results in the major classics before.
He has finished in the top three in Milan Sanremo in three times and was 4th last year while also finishing 4th Liège–Bastogne–Liège, 6th in Tour of Flanders and finished in the top five in Amstel Gold four times, including 5th last year.
However, while Milan-Sanremo would have been a huge target for a rider like Matthews, a road man with a very strong sprint, his whole spring campaign is now over for this year.
