Australian cycling standout Michael Matthews has been ruled out of this year’s Tour de France after team doctors identified signs of a pulmonary embolism during a recent training camp.
The Jayco AlUla rider has been instructed to stop all physical activity immediately following the medical discovery. A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks an artery, significantly reducing blood flow — a condition that can become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
The 34-year-old was attending an altitude training camp when the issue was first detected. In a public statement, Matthews’ team confirmed that medical professionals are now undertaking a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and severity of the condition.
“The medical team are now thoroughly investigating the extent of the issue and possible cause, to define a safe and optimal recovery process for the athlete,” the team’s statement explained.
“As a safeguarding measure, Matthews will refrain from competition during this period of investigation to ensure there is no risk to his health and well-being. This rules out his participation in the upcoming Tour de France.”
Matthews, who has four Tour de France stage wins to his name, recently celebrated his first victory of the 2025 season at the Eschborn-Frankfurt one-day race in Germany this May.
While his immediate future in professional cycling is on hold, Matthews remains optimistic about his recovery.
“Thank you everyone for the kind messages,” he wrote on Instagram. “I will get around to replying to you all, just taking a few days to process the news. But my condition is OK and I will make a full recovery. It will just take some time.”
Jayco AlUla’s current Tour de France lineup includes Ben O’Connor, Eddie Dunbar, Mauro Schmid, Dylan Groenewegen, Luka Mezgec, Elmar Reinders, and Christopher Juul-Jensen. The team has not yet announced who will replace Matthews but plans to name a substitute before the race starts on July 5.
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