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Vuelta a Espana 2014: first five observations

Michael Matthews proves potential as Chris Froome looks to make up ground overall

Having announced himself at the Vuelta a Espana last year, with two stage wins in his debut year with Orica-GreenEDGE, after signing from Rabobank, Michael Matthews has enjoyed a hugely successful 12 months since.

A stage winner at the Tour of the Basque Country, Matthews went on to wear the maglia rosa at the Giro d’Italia for six days – picking up a stage win along the way – and will now wear the red jersey at the Vuelta.

Michael Matthews awaits confirmation of the GC after taking the stage win, a result which sees him lead a Grand Tour for the second time this season (pic: Sirotti)

His stage three win, on the uphill sprint, underlines his potential on such tricky finishes – the fact Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp), Chris Froome (Team Sky), Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Wilco Kelderman (Belkin) were also in the top ten highlights the nature of the ascent.

At the age of 23 he has now already worn the leader’s jersey at two Grand Tours and won four stages along the way.

He was denied a Tour de France debut this year after suffering a training injury in the run-up to the race, but ‘Bling’ has shown he will certainly be a man to watch when he does make his debut in La Grande Boucle too.

Instead, he is riding the Vuelta and, it is fair to say, has seized his unexpected opportunity with both hands.

Expect plenty more to come from the man known as ‘Bling’ in the coming years.

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