It's not easy being the mother of a professional cyclist. Donna Matthews has spent years watching her son smash his body across the cobbled roads of Europe, plough into mass pileups and nurse eye-watering injuries for days just to finish a race.
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But overnight Tuesday, glued to their television in Canberra, Donna and husband Allan watched son Michael Matthews ride into the history books and become one of the city's most successful cyclists to date. In a tight sprint ending in Romans-sur-Isere, Matthews went on to take his second stage win of this year's Tour de France and the third of his career in the world's biggest bike race.
The win put Matthews within striking distance of the prestigious green jersey awarded to the rider with the highest overall points when the race ends in Paris.
"We have being spending lots of time watching him, his first stage win was exciting, but his second stage win just topped it off," Mrs Matthews said on Wednesday from the family's Mawson butcher's shop.
From a young boy doing tricks in the BMX park and mucking around with his mates on the weekends, the Matthews family said they were excited by the prospect of him possibly becoming the first Australian cyclist in 10 years to win the coveted green jersey.
Ms Matthews said her son's passion for cycling began in high school and riding with friends.
"After being good at many sports, when he was 15 he was noticed by his PE teacher at Melrose High School as a cyclist and since then he developed a passion for riding and has wanted to be the best he possibly could," she said.
That dedication even extended to missing his own sister's wedding so as not to compromise his training.
"He doesn't just start his preparation a week out from a race, it is months of preparation keeping himself in peak physical condition which includes intense exercising and a healthy diet which is considered as his lifestyle" Ms Matthews said.
Executive Director of Cycling ACT Matt Robertson said Matthews' success was an inspiration for young cyclists.
"He is a humble person who works really hard to get where he has and a good role model for them," Mr Robertson said.
The prospect of a Canberran winning the green jersey was a huge moment for not only Australian Cycling but also Australian sport.
"I just can't think of that because it is unbelievable and you just don't know, he's still 29 points behind so anything can happen but he has definitely put himself in a good position," Mrs Matthews said.
The Tour de France concludes in Paris this weekend.
