That first win

In 2018, South African Matthew Horter rode his first Jeugdtour. It was in category 4. In his first race in Europe, he could not keep up with the best in the race, but it was a fantastic experience. The final stage in the Asserbos was the highlight of the week. He had managed to finish in the peloton for the first time and the then 11-year-old Matthew was super proud!

At the end of 2020, Matthew’s family moved to the Netherlands. “That helped me a lot with gaining experience. I can train well there,” he says with a local Dutch accent.

Matthew showed his progress in Assen this week. He won the stage on VAM berg in the junior category with as much as a minute’s lead over the rest of the peloton. After this solo, he took the lead in the general classification. In the final stage, he suffered a mechanical, which caused him to finish behind the bunch. He did not manage to win the general classification.

Nevertheless, Matthew is proud of his achievement: “The stage on VAM-berg was my first victory ever. To take it in the Jeugdtour  is extra special. I rode power records, so I’m satisfied. I showed how far you can get if you just keep on training.”

Next year, Matthew plans to return for his final Youth Tour. He hopes to ride another good stage at VAM-berg that will allow him to fight for the overall win.

By Phaedra Krol