Matthews hoping to snatch second jersey from Sagan

BERGEN (Norway): Michael Matthews has already stripped Peter Sagan of one jersey this year and now the Australian is aiming for a double at the world championship road race on Sunday.

Sagan had owned the Tour de France green jersey for five straight years until July, but after the Slovak double world champion was kicked off the race for elbowing Briton Mark Cavendish in a frantic sprint finish, Matthews succeeded him in winning the sprinters' points jersey.

Now the 26-year-old, known as 'Bling' for his flashy style, is aiming to relieve Sagan of the rainbow jersey he's held for the last 24 months.

"I have one jersey now so we have to go for the second one," said Matthews.

"Everything's been going really well up to this point. One goal was to win the green jersey; now another is this jersey."

Matthews is enjoying the best season of his career having claimed two stages during July's Tour as well as the green jersey.

Last year he finished fourth at the worlds but two years ago he came away with the silver medal as Sagan won both years.

But now Matthews will have the entire nine-man Aussie squad working for him.

"To have the full support of the Aussie team is something I've been dreaming of for the last couple of years," he said. AFP