Sprint star Michael Matthews says the world championships in the US remind him of five years ago in Geelong, which could be a good omen for the Canberran who was crowned an under-23 road world champion in 2010.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Matthews goes into the men's road race in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday (AEST) full of confidence and Australia's best hope to win the world title, although compatriot Simon Gerrans also counts .
While his Tour de France debut was ruined by a horrific crash in the first week, he's recovered well and shown his form is good enough to be a threat at the worlds.
He finished 14th last year in Spain, but knows what it's like to be a world champion, having saluted the last time the worlds were held outside of Europe, in Geelong five years ago.
"It reminds me of the worlds we had in Melbourne," he told AAP about the build-up in Richmond.
"Racing outside of Europe is always interesting. We've had people cheering for us riding around and the race hasn't even started yet."
The 24-year-old has been in good form all year - winning a stage while wearing the pink leader's jersey at the Giro d'Italia, winning the points jersey and stages at the Paris-Nice and the Tour of Alberta and finishing on the podium of the Milan-San Remo, the Amstel Gold Race and the Brabantse Pijl.
His recent form is also strong, backing up his efforts at Alberta with second behind Colombian Rigoberto Uran at the Quebec grand prix.
"Through the year with the races I've done, the big races, was great preparation. I had a really good build-up after the Tour de France. I come here with really good confidence and form," Matthews said.
With rain forecast, Matthews was unsure of how treacherous the section of cobblestones would become in the wet.
But he didn't think a soggy race would favour anyone.
"We've done recon of the course but not in the rain. It's hard to tell how slippery it will be with the rain and what tyre pressure to use," Matthews said.
"Positioning is going to be key going into the climbs. Just trying to get into the course and the cobbles.
"I don't think anyone enjoys riding in the rain. I don't think you can put a target on a certain few riders. It could go in any direction. We'll try to get through the best we can.
"I back myself really well. I've had good preparation coming into this race. I have good confidence in myself."
