Shayne Bannan, Orica-GreenEDGE manager, has told Cyclingnews that Michael Matthews progression has been amazing, as he has gone in the last three season from sprinter to Classics contender and this week at Paris-Nice he almost contended for the overall win.

“I think that we will see much of the same that he did last year but a little bit better,” he told Cyclingnews at last week’s Track World Championships, where he was a guest of the Australian team.

“Michael’s progression has been amazing. He had a real breakthrough season last year with placings in Milan-San Remo and Amstel and also winning several stages all over the place. He’s still on a progressive pathway. I think that he is still on a progressive pathway this year and I think that you’ll see a percentage improvement again this year. He should be very proud of himself with his professionalism and the way that he manages himself. It’s nice to watch.”

Matthews will try to win the one-day races Milan-Sanremo, Amstel Gold and Brabantse Pijl, where he was on the podium of all three in 2015. A maiden Tour stage win and Yellow Jersey are also goals to complete his sets of Grand Tour stage wins and leaders jerseys.