Five times second this year, Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEDGE) finally took to the top step of the podium on Wednesday in Torrey. The lumpy day came down to a reduced bunch sprint, and Matthews handily outkicked the competition on the second stage of the Tour of Utah.

Bonus seconds at the finish would have had Matthews tied on time with overnight race leader Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) were it not for a single second he snagged at the second intermediate sprint. The second proved the tie-breaker and put Matthews in the yellow jersey.

“I’ve had a few opportunities this year that I haven’t quite pulled off the way I would have wanted,” said Matthews. “It seemed like I was always getting second. It’s really nice to get my first win for the team, especially when everyone worked so hard for me all day. To take the yellow jersey and the sprint jersey at the same time as my first win this year is really special.”

The paper profile suggested that a select group of overall contenders would battle for the stage win. The race travelled through Bryce Canyon National Park and along the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, covering four categorised climbs in the process.

“The profile looked a bit harder than it actually was,” explained Matthews. “I think everyone went into the day a little scared from the categorised climbs, but the climbs weren’t that difficult in the end. We went into the stage with an open mind without putting any pressure on anyone.”

With his teammates covering late race attacks, Matthew was left to find his own way to the line in the last half-kilometre. He was the first to open the sprint, and no one proved capable of challenging his lunge for the line.

“The team did a perfect job to set me up,” said Matthews. “I didn’t have to touch the wind or other effort than [was] absolutely necessary until it was time to sprint. I wouldn’t have won the stage without all their work.”

“I felt a lot better today than yesterday,” Matthews added. “I stayed at Brian Head for two weeks before the race started, so I adjusted to the time change and altitude before the race started. The team had a lot of confidence in me going into this tour, and they played all their cards for me again.”

Although thrilled to pull on the yellow jersey today, Matthews does not expect to keep it. Mount Nebo, the major obstacle on stage three, is expected to prove far more decisive than Boulder Mountain and should force the overall contenders to begin to play their cards.

“I think tomorrow will be a ‘rest day’ for us,” said Matthews, with a smile. “We’ll probably back it off on stage three and then ramp things up again for the crit in Salt Lake City on Friday.”