Australian star Michael Matthews out of Tour de France after team doctors discover signs of pulmonary embolism

A star Aussie cyclist who has won four stages on the Tour de France is out of this year’s race after a scary find by team doctors.

Australian cycling star Michael Matthews is out of the Tour de France after team doctors discovered signs of a pulmonary embolism.

Matthews, who has won four stages at the world’s most prestigious race and also took out the green points classification in 2017, was at a Jayco AlUla altitude training camp when team doctors first saw signs of the issue.

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that goes to the lungs and blocks an artery, restricting blood flow and, if untreated, it can be life-threatening.

Michael Matthews is out of the Tour de France. Picture: Thomas Samson / AFP

Matthews was forced to immediately stop all physical activity, is off the team’s roster for the July Tour, and his return to cycling is unknown.

“The medical team are now thoroughly investigating the extent of the issue and possible cause to define a safe and optimal recovery process for the athlete,” a team statement said.

“During this period of investigation, as a safeguarding measure, Matthews will refrain from competition to ensure there is no risk to his health and wellbeing, therefore ruling out his participation in the upcoming Tour de France.”

Matthews had his first win of the year early last month at the Eschborn-Frankfurt one-day race in Germany and would have been a key rider for the Australian team at the Tour.