Michael Matthews Appreciation Thread

[The Hegelian]

Re:

Not a bad trade for Sunweb: Matthews in for Degenkolb. Two stages and the green jersey (probably) whereas Degenkolb has only won a stage of the Dubai Tour this year.

I always thought that was an interesting swap - weren't they 1-2 in the junior worlds sometime back?

Since then Degenkolb has snagged two monuments and his palmares looked to be outshining Matthews by some measure.....but he hasn't done much since his accident, and I reckon I'd rather have Matthews on my roster; much more versatile.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Re: Re:

Not a bad trade for Sunweb: Matthews in for Degenkolb. Two stages and the green jersey (probably) whereas Degenkolb has only won a stage of the Dubai Tour this year.

I always thought that was an interesting swap - weren't they 1-2 in the junior worlds sometime back?

U23 worlds in Geelong 2010:

Great race that was. Degenkolb was arguably the strongest rider, but his attacks on the climb didn't succeed. Matthews beats him then on the line, with Phinney and Boivin a tied third place.

Btw, in the current cq ranking Degenkolb is still ahead of Matthews. He has also won more GT stages (11) then Matthews (8) so far.

But kudos to Matthews, he rode a perfect Tour so far.

 

[The Hegelian]

Yeah there was that Vuelta where he won like 7 or something ridiculous. Matthews stills needs to land that really big one day win - I'm sure it's just a matter of time, because he's been darn close a few times.

 

[PremierAndrew]

Would rather have Degenkolb's current palmares, but Matthews is closing in quick.

Saying Matthews is more versatile than Degenkolb is debatable to say the least. Matthews is a better climber but not good enough aerobically or anaerobically to compete in the likes of LBL or GdL. Degenkolb otoh is one of the best on the cobbles, along with his sprinting prowess

 

[Pirazziattacks]

Re:

Would rather have Degenkolb's current palmares, but Matthews is closing in quick.

Saying Matthews is more versatile than Degenkolb is debatable to say the least. Matthews is a better climber but not good enough aerobically or anaerobically to compete in the likes of LBL or GdL. Degenkolb otoh is one of the best on the cobbles, along with his sprinting prowess

Matthews wasn't far off at LBL this year.

 

[The Hegelian]

Re:

Would rather have Degenkolb's current palmares, but Matthews is closing in quick.

Saying Matthews is more versatile than Degenkolb is debatable to say the least. Matthews is a better climber but not good enough aerobically or anaerobically to compete in the likes of LBL or GdL. Degenkolb otoh is one of the best on the cobbles, along with his sprinting prowess

That's why it's kind of an interesting swap for Sunweb - Degenkolb has proven classics ability, Matthews merely (bloody good) potential. I remember thinking last year 'you'd rather Degenkolb for the big one day races wouldn't you?' But now it's more of an open question. I think Matthews is clearly more versatile, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a better rider. i.e. Matthews could end up in Bossan-Hagen territory.

I think Matthews showed he could maybe win a LBL - no one would have said that last year. Could also develop his ability on the cobbles.....looked alright in GW.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Re:

Yeah there was that Vuelta where he won like 7 or something ridiculous. Matthews stills needs to land that really big one day win - I'm sure it's just a matter of time, because he's been darn close a few times.

Matthews been 4th in LBL this year. I can't see any of the sprinters do that except for maybe Sagan when he really trains for it.

 

[Blanco]

Degenkolb has better palmares as things stands right now, but I think Matthews will end up as a better rider

 

[tobydawq]

The "Does Michael Matthews really not have a thread?" thread

I don't have anything to say about him just now, I just found out he wasn't in the Rider thread directory.

I'm stunned.

Stunned I tell you!

 

[Screecher]

Who?

 

[klintE]

That one on the right

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

That one on the right

It would have been a lot easier to cheer for the one on the left, tbh.

 

[Red Rick]

I found the tiny rider thread he has that wasn't added to the library thread.

Will merge threads and add it.

 

[klintE]

Re:

That one on the right

It would have been a lot easier to cheer for the one on the left, tbh.

Now ask your GF

 

[jmdirt]

The story on the front page about his TdF prep speaks a lot about how preparation and focus change "who" you are as a rider. Many of us fans assume that racers can just flip a switch: "he can just race for green now". That being said, maybe his climbing prep will help him grab a few points that he wouldn't have otherwise. The question though is, will he grab enough of those to make up for the (flat) ones he might miss.

 

[HelloDolly]

He will do very well

A few stages and possibly a good fight for green

 

[Red Rick]

*** that

Matthews gonna win the whole damned thing

 

[yaco]

The bigger question is whether Matthews will stay at Sunweb ? Up for contract and seems a touch unhappy.

 

[Screecher]

Honestly i could care less. The guy always complains about something. His biggest challenge in the fight for green isn't his sprinting or climbing capability but his inability to position himself to consistently get good results in bunch sprints. This is an area where Sagan has a huge advantage on him.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

The story on the front page about his TdF prep speaks a lot about how preparation and focus change "who" you are as a rider. Many of us fans assume that racers can just flip a switch: "he can just race for green now". That being said, maybe his climbing prep will help him grab a few points that he wouldn't have otherwise. The question though is, will he grab enough of those to make up for the (flat) ones he might miss.

I think that its an excuse or anger at the team. Dumoulin was not sure about GC almost a month to the TDF. Thats more than enough time to train for 10s of sprints considering this is a guy who won sprint stages after coming from injury. You don't stop something that's ur bread and butter just cause someone said so. Sagan didnot stop training for sprints just because he had to support Contador

 

[movingtarget]

Stage hunting seems to be the target if he is in two minds, get in some breaks. His climbing should be in good shape.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

The story on the front page about his TdF prep speaks a lot about how preparation and focus change "who" you are as a rider. Many of us fans assume that racers can just flip a switch: "he can just race for green now". That being said, maybe his climbing prep will help him grab a few points that he wouldn't have otherwise. The question though is, will he grab enough of those to make up for the (flat) ones he might miss.

I think that its an excuse or anger at the team. Dumoulin was not sure about GC almost a month to the TDF. Thats more than enough time to train for 10s of sprints considering this is a guy who won sprint stages after coming from injury. You don't stop something that's ur bread and butter just cause someone said so. Sagan didnot stop training for sprints just because he had to support Contador

We don't know how rigid Sunweb expected Matthews to be with his training, because let's face it they aren't heavy on rouleurs to control the peloton if Dumoulin took yellow.

Still, if he wants another real shot at green now is the chance.

 

[Leinster]

They’re not heavy on rouleurs. They certainly never have climbers around him. What exactly are their domestiques supposed to do?

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

They’re not heavy on rouleurs. They certainly never have climbers around him. What exactly are their domestiques supposed to do?

Kelderman and Oomen have climbed well in support of Dumoulin. They do, however lack classics style rouleurs as shown by the lack of support for Matthews in the classics, especially Flanders.

 

[Screecher]

I really thought he had a chance at the green jersey but i guess he wasn't lying when he said his sprinting isn't where it should be.