Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) took his first career stage win at the Tour de France out of a breakaway on stage 10 in Revel Tuesday. The finish saw the top two finishers at the world championships in 2015, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and Matthews, battle it out for the stage victory. And though there was no rainbow jersey on the line, Matthews got a bit of redemption against his Slovakian rival.
The Australian was scheduled to make his Tour debut in 2014, but it was derailed by a crash in training just days before. Last year the Canberran broke four ribs on stage 3 and suffered just to make it to Paris. The Tour stage win completes the trifecta for Matthews, who now has stage wins in all three Grand Tours.
“It’s unbelievable,” Matthews said. “I was close to giving in at this race after I had two bad crashes [in 2014 and 2015]. I thought maybe this race is not for me but today my dream comes true. It was never the plan to go for a breakaway today. We wanted a bunch sprint finish but we’re such a strong group of guys. Durbridge and Impey gave me everything to win today. I have no words to describe what they did for me.”
Read the full stage 10 race report, highlight video and results here.
Premium bike parking in the hotel lobby for Team Dimension Data ahead of stage 10. Photo: Gruber Images
The race headed uphill straight from the gun with the Category 1 Port d’Envalira. Many riders were seen warming up on trainers before the start. Photo: Cor Vos
Daniel Teklehaimanot (Dimension Data) had his stage essentials neatly packed in his helmet before the start. Photo: Gruber Images
Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) fuels up for the big climb at the start of the stage. Photo: Cor Vos
The Port d’Envalira brought the riders to the highest altitude of this year’s race at 2,408m (7,900ft) above sea level. Photo: Gruber Images
The peloton kept climbing higher and higher on stage 10. Photo: Cor Vos
Even though the riders have radios to communicate with their team cars, they are still given time gaps out on the road. Photo: Cor Vos
Green jersey wearer Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) was dropped on the opening climb, but “The Manx Missile” would safely rejoin the peloton later in the stage. Photo: Gruber Images
It’s a lonely road for Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida). He led solo up the opening climb. Photo: Gruber Images.
Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) has had a quiet Tour so far, but he has his eye on the individual time trial on Friday. Photo: Gruber Images
Costa would cross the summit of the Port d’Envalira first and earn the Souvenir Henri Desgrange prize for doing so. Photo: Gruber Images
Adrien Petit (Direct Energie) descends into the fog down the Port d’Envalira. Photo: Cor Vos
One of the stories of the day was that Tinkoff team owner Oleg Tinkov may be backpedaling on ending his sponsorship at the end of the year. Photo: Cor Vos
Chris Froome (Team Sky) had a quiet day in the maillot jaune on Tuesday. Photo: Cor Vos
Orica-BikeExchange was forced to do a good amount of pacemaking in the breakaway due to having three riders in the lead group. Photo: Cor Vos
The breakaway would soon split in two, as the race entered a section exposed to crosswinds. Photo: Cor Vos
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) was able to split the breakaway in the crosswinds, but all three Orica-BikeExchange riders made the lead group. Photo: Gruber Images
Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) drove the breakaway up the Côte de Saint-Ferréo, which crested 7km from the finish. Photo: Cor Vos
Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) took his first Tour stage win in Revel. Photo: Cor Vos
Former teammates Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Mikel Landa (Team Sky) exchanged a few words as they crossed the finish line. Photo: Cor Vos
Matthews and Luke Durbridge shared a hug while many photographers leaned in to capture the moment. Photo: Cor Vos
The peloton eased its way into Revel on stage 10. Photo: Cor Vos
Sagan leans in for the ceremonial kisses to receive his prize as Most Aggressive rider on the stage. Photo: Gruber Images
Photography by Cor Vos, Jered & Ashley Gruber
This article was originally published on cyclingtips.com
