Michael Matthews will not take the start of the 2025 Tour de France after Jayco AlUla announced on their socials and website this Friday that the Australian has been sidelined following the discovery of signs of a pulmonary embolism during a recent altitude training camp.
The 33-year-old is currently in a stable condition, but medical staff have paused all training and competition activity as a precaution. The team confirmed that Matthews will not return to racing until further tests are completed and a safe recovery process has been outlined.
“During a recent altitude training camp, GreenEDGE Cycling medical team discovered signs of a pulmonary embolism and have subsequently decided to pause all physical activity for the rider until further notice,” read the statement. “Matthews’ health condition is stable. 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 decision means Matthews will miss what would have been his ninth Tour de France appearance. The four-time stage winner and 2017 green jersey champion had been targeting a return to form this summer after taking his first WorldTour victory since 2022 at Eschborn-Frankfurt early this May.
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the lungs, and can be life-threatening if not identified and treated quickly. While the team have stressed that Matthews is stable, the diagnosis brings his 2025 racing calendar into question.
For now, all eyes will be on his recovery, with Jayco AlUla prioritising his long-term health. The team did not indicate when Matthews might return to racing.
