Australian cyclist Michael Matthews has credited his close friend and training partner, Tadej Pogačar, for rekindling his passion for cycling. However, as the two prepare for Sunday’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich, Matthews is certain that no favors will be given, despite their friendship.

In an interview with Cyclingnews, Matthews expressed confidence in his sprinting abilities, believing he can beat Pogačar if the race comes down to a sprint finish. “When he starts riding more than a few minutes uphill, it gets more difficult, but in training sprints, I can beat him,” Matthews said with a hint of humor. “If we come to a sprint together, I’m confident, but let’s see what happens for the other 270 kilometers before that.”

Despite Matthews’ optimism, Pogačar is known for his aggressive racing style, often attacking before a sprint. He is expected to push the pace on the rolling 27km Zurich circuit, which will be covered seven times in the 273.9km elite men’s road race.

Pogačar’s recent form has been impressive, winning the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal with a solo attack, while Matthews took victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec. Reflecting on their training sessions, Matthews said, “We had a good time training together, doing sprints and motor pacing. He’s really good.”

Matthews, who won the under-23 world title in 2010, acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “If I knew how to beat him, I would have done it already in other races.” Still, he leads a strong Australian team, including Jay Vine, Jai Hindley, and Ben O’Connor, making him a serious contender if the race ends in a small group finish.

As Sunday’s race approaches, Matthews remains confident in his form and strategy, drawing lessons from his recent performances in Canada and hoping for a strong finish. “I’m really confident in myself,” he said. “Hopefully this Sunday I’m stronger.”

With Pogačar lacking his full UAE Team support, the race could be more unpredictable than usual. Australia, like other nations, plans to ride their own race, hoping not to let Pogačar dictate the pace. “There are a lot of big threats out there, not just Pogačar. If everyone targets him, then some other person will win,” Matthews concluded.