Jayco AlUla’ Sporting Director, Matthew “Matt” White is an important person in cycling. In his competitive years in track and road cycling, he scored many victories in major Tours and participated in two Olympic Games.
His connection with Greece dates way back to 1992, when White won bronze in the team pursuit in his first international appearance representing Australia - the World Junior Championships in Athens. Twelve years later, he returned to Athens to compete at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Among his victories in road cycling, the ones in the Tour de Suisse and in the Tour Down Under Adelaide stand out. He competed as a pro between 1996-2007, representing various teams.
He switched to coaching in 2008, starting with Slipstream – Chipotle, where he stayed for two years, and in 2012, he moved to Orica – Scott.
Besides cycling, White is famous for leading his wife Jane Saville to the 20 km Walk Olympic bronze medal at the 2004 Games in Athens, an event won by Greek Athanasia Tsoumeleka.
A medal that was more like a redemption for Saville after being disqualified shortly before entering the Olympic stadium at the 2000 Games in Sydney.
The couple has three children, all involved in sports (cycling and athletics), and live in Spain. Their daughter recently became the Spanish champion in Walking in the U14 category.
The ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas media team met with Matt White after the cancellation of the third stage, and here’s what he said about the Tour, his ties with Greece, and professional cycling.
- Mr. White from your experience and after the first three days of the ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas 2025, how do you see the development of the event?
“We ‘ve heard positive things about the race in relation to the past, so what we’ve heard was shown this year. The 4th stage seems to be the toughest. Soon we will find out and will see who will be this year’s winner”.
- I guess you carry a lot of memories from Greece with you…
“Yes, I have very good memories. It’s my third time in Greece. The first time I came here was in 1992 for the World Junior Championships and I came back twelve years later, in 2004 to the Athens Olympic Games. This is my third time. I have good memories from the past”.
- You have been Sports Director in women’s cycling as well. How do you see women in professional Cycling?
“Women were being around a long time, but I think the last 3-5 years we’ve seen the big change in the level of professionalism, of services with the teams, but I think that the big change is related to the calendar. The calendar now includes the Giro, the Tour, the Vuelta, and with programming of other big events, it’ a great change. The sport is developing fast”.
- We have seen changes in bikes as well. How has the technology helped in increasing the performances of athletes?
“Technology is something that’s improving all the time, but I think the big change occurred over the past five years, with the disc brakes. Men and women are breaking lighter now, so they are going faster. The bikes are a little bit lighter, but more dynamic. This technology is also available to people who love cycling, not particularly professional athletes”.
- Do you think the two World tour teams present in the 2025 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas will drag more teams of this level to come to Greece next year?
“Certainly! I won’t be surprised if three or four World Tour teams will come to Greece next year. We had great three days so far; We would be back next year and I’m sure a few more teams will be here in 2026. This race is in a very good window to our calendar. We have a very busy calendar, from January to October, but Greece is also easy for as to get around. The 80 percent of our race calendar is in Europe and it’s a great experience for us”.
- Who do you predict will be the winner of 2025 ΔΕΗ Tour of Hellas?
“I think Martin Lopez, the current leader. He is in a very good position. Last week, in Vuelta Catalunya he was in good shape. We’ll try to beat him. Saturday’s stage is very interesting as is the iconic stage in Athens, downtown Athens. We’d love to win it with Dylan (Groenewegen)”.
- What was most the most important moment in your career as a professional cyclist?
“The privilege to represent my country at multiple Olympic Games, one of them in Greece. That was very special for me as was my home Olympics in Sydney. Also, the love of the sport that gave me the opportunity to work for over 15 years as a manager, after finishing my career as an athlete”.
Photos - ΔΕΗ tour Of Hellas 2025
