Having waited 33 years for his Olympic debut, cyclist Michael Matthews is living a dream as he prepares to lead the Australian team in the Men’s Road Race in Paris.
Michael will be supported by experienced campaigner Simon Clarke and Ben O’Connor who has joined the team as a replacement for Lucas Plapp, who suffered an unfortunate crash in the time trial and underwent abdominal surgery this week.
The men’s Road Race will be held over 273km and includes 2800m of climbing, starting at 7pm AEST opposite the Eiffel Tower and culminating with a tricky circuit around Paris before finishing at Trocadero.
“It’s been a big build up to this race, obviously it’s the Olympics and it’s been a dream of ours to be here and have a course like we have this year in Paris,” Michael said.
“It’s my first Olympics and something I’ve dreamed about as a kid, and I think the course really suits our team so I’m really looking forward to it.”
While disappointed for Lucas, Ben is ready to step in and deliver for the team.
“I was ready to take it up, I’d been preparing at home for other objectives in cycling itself and can be confident we’ll still do our best job nonetheless,” he said.
“It’s a shame for Plappy, I hope he can get back on the bike soon.
“Simon and Michael were here for a couple of days before I came, it’s an interesting course and super open which makes it really aggressive.
“I’m not sure it’s going to be made on the final laps the way the course plays out, but we are all going to be here fighting and racing once we get to the finish circuit in Paris .
“We have a really good chance with Bling (Michael) at the final to go for a medal hopefully.”
The Women’s Road Race will be held on the same course over 158km from 8pm AEST on 4 August.
Reece Homfray
