Michael Matthews recounts his struggle during his mid-year health crisis and how it led him to find motivation for the World Championships in Rwanda.

Michael Matthews Returns to Racing After Pulmonary Embolism Scare

After a hiatus spanning from May 1 to the end of August, Australian cyclist Michael Matthews made his comeback to racing in July 2023. The period of rest was necessitated by a serious medical issue he faced mid-season - a pulmonary embolism.

The health scare was first detected during an altitude training camp in Italy in May/June. A scan of his lungs revealed blood clots, leading to his immediate hospitalization in Switzerland. Matthews' team, Jayco-AlUla, announced that he would refrain from racing to protect his health and well-being.

Despite the setback, Matthews has shown resilience and determination. He returned to racing in July, coming eighth at the Bretagne Classic. His upcoming races include the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Montreál on September 12 and 14, where he hopes to add to his previous wins in these events.

Matthews has been at every Road World Championships since 2012, except in 2018 when he wasn't selected for the Australian team. This year, he is expected to attend the UCI Road World Championships, scheduled from September 15-28. Australia is prioritizing defending the mixed team time trial title at the event.

Matthews' team will support Jai Hindley at the UCI Road World Championships, allowing Matthews to focus on his recovery and preparations for the Maryland Classic on September 6 and the remaining races in his comeback season.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Matthews has expressed his happiness to be back racing with his team. He has also subscribed to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to coverage of the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda. The search results do not provide information about the medical advisor who supported Matthews during the treatment of his blood clot in the summer of 2022.

Matthews' fans and cycling enthusiasts alike are eager to see him back in action. His return to racing is a testament to his strength and dedication, and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports.

Michael Matthews recounts his struggle during his mid-year health crisis and how it led him to find motivation for the World Championships in Rwanda.