Michael Matthews (Jaco Arla) will put the 2023 season behind him after illness, premature mechanization and crashes disrupted his race and let him down

The 33・year・old finished his 55th season on the world Tour at the Veneto Classic on Sunday after 13 days of racing, but he will not be back. With only one victory added to his palmares. Matthews won the stage at the Giro d'Italia and took other places, but was not satisfied with his results.

"It's basically a mess and I look forward to shutting it down and forgetting this year," said Matthews to Wielerflits in Italy.

"I think in form, it was good. Obviously, it was not the case in the end."

Matthews' season was plagued from start to finish.

The Down Under tour was his first big goal, but his overall hope was derailed by a falling chain after he bumped into other riders at the Peloton, and he cast doubt on his respect at the Peloton.

When he returned to Europe, things got worse.

"We started a really good season in Australia with a third in the Nationals and then down under kana up my machine in the key stage where I lost GC

"Then came back to Europe and had COVID-19 for Paris- Nice. Milan - I had to miss San Remo and miss all my important goals early on.

"Then I crashed into Flanders and took me out for Flanders and the rest [of the classics] and entered the Giro with 10 days of training.

Matthews' build-up for the Giro makes his victory in Stage 3 even more impressive. He overtook Melfi's Mad Pedersen (Riddle Trek) and Caden Groves (Alpesin Detunink) with a powerful uphill kick.

However, the feat was not repeated for the rest of the season, and his rest of the results were littered with occasional podiums like the Dnf and Grand Prix Cyclist de Quebec. He was well positioned at the rising finish but lacked the speed to catch Arnaud de Lee (Lotto Dstny) and Corbin Strong (Israel Premiertech) in front of the line.

Matthews is hoping to rest and reset during the winter 2024, before the 8th season at Jayco-AlUla.

"I try and reset mentally and try the positive points that I was able to mentally continue and fight back and get in good shape.

"Hopefully I can turn the page for the next year and forget about this.

Sports Director Matthew White similarly looked back on his versatile rider season.

"We often had to adjust his programs. After the giro, we gave him enough time to rest and recover, but in the first race he rode then, he fell hard on his shoulder," White said Ming

"We put him back in shape for 2 games in Canada, but then he got sick again. It turns out that it is difficult for him to get into the best condition every time.

When asked if he might return on a down-under tour in May, White replied, "Probably not," but instead hopes to return to the continent and make his first appearance later.

"We will give Michael a little more rest, and you will probably meet him again in Europe sometime in the 2nd month," suggested White.