'I couldn't use any of my fingers' – Michael Matthews back on the bike after breaking both arms in training crash

Michael Matthews, the seasoned Australian sprinter for Team Jayco AlUla, has confirmed he sustained fractures to both his radius and ulna in his left arm, along with a radius fracture in his right arm, following a training crash last week. Matthews, who shared a video detailing his injuries, described being unable to use his fingers post-incident. This unfortunate setback occurred just weeks before his planned season debut at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, forcing an indefinite delay to his 2024 campaign.

This dual-fracture injury is a significant blow for Matthews, a multiple Grand Tour stage winner and former Monuments podium finisher, who was aiming for a strong start to his season. Coming off a 2023 where he secured a stage at the Giro d'Italia but also faced other crashes, this incident further highlights the precarious nature of a professional cyclist's career. His absence will undoubtedly impact Team Jayco AlUla's early-season objectives, particularly in races where his sprint and Classics experience would be invaluable.

While Matthews' resilience is well-documented, returning from bilateral arm fractures presents a unique challenge. One can only hope his recovery is swift and complete, though the prospect of him contending at the Classics now seems, quite literally, out of his hands.