Spot Interviews: Matt Holmes (Madison Genesis)

Two days in a row, Matt Holmes of Madison Genesis has been flexing his muscles and showing how well racing at this level suits him 

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Spot Interviews: Matt Holmes (Madison Genesis)

Two days in a row, Matt Holmes of Madison Genesis has been flexing his muscles and showing how well racing at this level suits him. On Stage 3, Matt was in a break with the world tour pros like stage 4 winner Andre Greipel and they held the peloton at bay for ages with the big teams chasing like crazy.

Talking about that stage, Matt told VeloUK on the start line of the stage today (Wednesday), “it wasn’t too bad really – because everyone was so strong, in a way it made it easier, nice and smooth as no-one was kicking through so it was a strong break and we made them work to catch us”.

When asked why go for the break when a GC position was the original goal, Matt explained after the break succeeded the day before, why not? “I’m also expecting we’ll lose time in the team time trial, and we’d have to do something special to get in the top 10, so I thought, I had nothing to lose and have a go and see what happens as it is so unpredictable”.

The break did not stick however and then worse, Matt punctured at the end of the stage which is why he lost time to the selection up the road. “I punctured with six or seven k to go. George Pym gave me his front wheel but there was no way to get back on at that stage –I’d have to have gone 60 mph up that last climb!”

So Matt went into stage 4 having made that big effort and as they rolled out of Nuneaton, who was alongside the race leader? Matt Holmes of course. When the break formed, Matt was in it and he won every sprint and every KoM which is quite something when the riders you’re with are strong too.

After the stage, he told ITV “I was going for GC in the race as I have good legs and unfortunately got a puncture yesterday so I took out my frustration of that today in the break. There was no strategy, just get in the break, and sprint!”

“I’ve never won the sprints jersey before but it’s nice to have it and get the sponsors on TV and line up first tomorrow (the jersey holders get to start at the front of the peloton) so it’s good for sponsors and me too.”

On his objectives for the rest of the week, Matt says “I’ll try and get in the breaks again and go for KoM’s at stuff and see if I can move up in that as well and if not, I’ll just lead Connor out!”

Good luck to Matt in the coming days …

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