The Team Jayco AlUla rider timed his dash for the line to perfection, launching his sprint with just under 300 metres to go as the other favourites looked at each other. The rest of the pack had no answer to his power and the 33-year-old was able to savour an emphatic win, which he dedicated to his grandmother who passed away last week.
With several riders attempting to go clear off the front, including former winners Tadej Pogačar and Arnaud De Lie, the peloton split up over the hilly final lap. Matthews kept his cool, sitting near the front of the main bunch and helped to reel in the attacking riders inside the last kilometre.
As the group prepared for the inevitable sprint, the Australian sensed his moment for the hat-trick and didn’t look back.
Matthews has a superb record around the streets of Québec with victories in 2018 and 2019, plus four other podium finishes. With this latest win, he is no doubt the most successful rider at the one-day race.
Michael Matthews
“It means much more than I can put into words. The season started really great with the classics. Since then, until now, nothing has really fallen into place for me. Coming back here, a race that I know really well, to win my third Québec against what I think is probably the strongest field here was one of the most special for sure.
My grandma passed away and a two days ago here in Québec I watched her funeral live. This gave me extra motivation and makes this victory so special. I wanted it so much. If I didn’t win, then what was the point in being so far away from my family during this difficult time.”
Mathew Hayman (Sport Director)
“What a day for the team and what a day for Michael. We knew things were changing a bit with Tadej Pogačar coming here, that he would want to change the style of racing and UAE really threw everything at the race but it comes down to the sprint that Michael knows very well. His track record on this race is very impressive. If you look back, he’s barely finished outside the top five whenever he’s started and that showed in the sprint. He opened very early but with the confidence of someone who knew what they were doing. It was a very impressive ride and it capped off a very hard day. I’m very proud of what he was able to achieve today.”
2024 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec results
- Michael Matthews (Team Jayco AlUla) 04:45:36
- Biniam Girmay st
- Rudy Molard st
