Michael Matthews has spoken of his desire to win Milan San Remo and says he is ready to attack or sit in for a sprint, depending on how the race pans out.

“It’s one of those races that has something over me and I really want to conquer it,” Matthews told SBS Cycling Central. “For me, even when I say Milan-San Remo it gives me that little tingle.”

“It’s around seven hours on the bike so you’ve got to keep in position and use your team as much as possible to keep you relaxed without having to do too much work through the race,” he said. “You have to be confident that everyone is going to be in the best shape possible and giving it everything they have.”

Matthews has sought out the help of Oscar Freire, who has won three Worlds titles and three San Remos. Matthews wouldn’t tell what the Spaniard had told him however.

“I’ve talked a lot to Oscar Freire about this race. He knows it like the back of his hand and has given me lots of pointers but that’s between me and him.”