Australian Michael Matthews (35) extended his contract with the Jayco-AlUla team for two years, despite a difficult season, which saw him absent from the pelotons for four months.
Last week, rumors reported financial difficulties for the Australian team Jayco AlUla, which had not yet provided all the bank guarantees to the International Cycling Union to be registered in the World Tour. A simply “administrative” problem for the managers, and there was obviously nothing to worry about, since this Monday, the Australian team announced the extension of the contract of one of its star riders, Michael Matthews, for the next two years. The 35-year-old Australian is now team-linked with the team whose colors he has worn since 2021, until the end of the 2027 season.
43 victories for Matthews
“I’m really delighted. After the difficulties encountered this summer, I realized how much I appreciate the team, my life, as it is and the last few years spent in cycling. I still feel like I’m 25, and I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with the Jayco AlUla team and my cycling career. I feel like I’m constantly improving, and I’m really looking forward to spending two more years with the team and seeing what we can accomplish together. I hope to achieve, with the team, the goals that I have set for my career. I can’t wait to see what these next two years have in store for me and to savor every moment,” reacted the man with 43 victories (including 10 Grand Tour stages) in a press release.
A pulmonary embolism in June
His 2025 season was greatly disrupted by a pulmonary embolism suffered last June. Winner of the German Eschborn-Frankfurt classic on May 1, he then did not race again until August 31 and the Bretagne Classic. In the end, he ran 29 days competitively, including just one stage race, Paris-Nice.
“Michael has proven his talent time and time again in the biggest races and we are delighted to see him continue the adventure with us next season. He had a difficult 2025 season, as we know, but his strong comeback and the determination he showed to get back to the top are testament to his quality as a rider. He is a true professional and a valuable asset to the team. He still has big ambitions and we look forward to working with him to achieve them together,” said team boss Brent Copeland.
