MADRID, March 26 -- Australian rider Michael Matthews (Sunweb) won a tough uphill sprint to claim the second stage of the Volta de Catalonia (Tour of Catalonia) on Tuesday.

Matthews finished ahead of World Champion, Alejandro Valverde and South African Champion Daryl Impey in a sprint which turned into an agonizing 800-meter grind to the finish line.

It was an excellent win for the rider who had been forced to pull out of the recent Paris - Nice race (one of the biggest early season races) after suffering a crash in the first stage on March 10th.

"It was really hard, but I felt confident. I am really happy. When I saw Valverde behind me and I knew I had the power to win," said Matthews.

"It's only the team's second win of the year and we need it for the confidence and to know how strong we really are," he added.

The 166 kilometer second stage between Mataro and Saint Feliu de Guixols was another 'lumpy' stage and although it didn't include any mountains as such, a series of short, sharp climbs in the closing kilometers meant the end of the stage bit into the riders' legs, before the slightly uphill final 800 meters to the finish line.

Four times Tour de France winner, Chris Froome suffered a fall with 35 minutes remaining and although the British rider was at the race in order to gain pre-season form, he looked to struggle after losing skin off his upper leg eventually losing around 10 minutes to the stage leaders.

【体坛英语资讯：Matthews wins slow motion sprint in stage 2 of Tour of Catalonia】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Beijing Olympic flame reaches India

★ 体坛英语资讯：Sprinter Gay, swimmer Hoff win top US honours

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Demi Moores man talks fashion in essay

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas Li Na makes strong start to season

★ 体坛英语资讯：Davydenko not worried about betting probe

★ 体坛英语资讯：Italy join Netherlands in last eight after beating France 2-0

★ 体坛英语资讯：Bucks finish preseason with loss to Timberwolves

★ 体坛英语资讯：Chinas EAFC title hopes dashed after losing to Japan 1-0

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Mischa Barton charged with drunk driving

★ 体坛资讯：Henin wins 3rd consecutive French Open title