The Lanterne Rouge can be a status symbol to some riders - the last rider in the Tour de France general classification - but Orica-GreenEdge's Michael Matthews is keen to rid himself of the title.
Matthews endured a torrid first week in the race, breaking ribs and suffering multiple abrasions in the huge crash on stage three which knocked out a number of big-name riders.
The Australian, who wore the pink jersey at this year's Giro d'Italia, is keen to point out that he was one of the few riders to get up from that crash and carry on and is confident of moving up the rankings as the stages progress.
"It's been a really hard race with so much stress but the team was behind me keeping me motivated," he told letour.fr. "I'm still hoping to get results in the later part of the Tour and that's the main reason to stay in the race.
"I'm last because the day that I crashed I was the only one from that crash to finish the stage. I don't like being last but I also keep it at the back of my mind that I was the only one to get through from that crash.
"In the next few days I'll move up in the GC. A few stages are good for me coming up. The goal is to try and take stage wins. To finish the Tour is not an objective for now."
Matthews sits 177th and last on the GC after stage 11, more than two hours behind behind race leader Chris Froome. Britain's Alex Dowsett is just one place ahead of him, and could find himself at the foot of the table soon as he continues to struggle on.
Watch highlights from stage 11 of the Tour de France
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Gallery: The cyclocross race that existed before gravel was cool
The annual Three Peaks Cyclo-Cross race traverses the Yorkshire Dales annually - here's our gallery from Britain's toughest race
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
-
BikeExchange safe from WorldTour relegation, no more 'scrapping over points to the death'
"The points system is clearly broken" says Matt White, team's head directeur sportif
-
Five things we learned from the second week of the Tour de France 2022
Sprinters take matters into their own hands in the week two of the race
-
Michael Matthews gambles and surprises by climbing to first Tour de France stage win in five years
BikeExchange-Jayco rider attacks from break and triumphs on steep finish up to Mende
-
Kristen Faulkner takes a stunning solo win at the Giro Donne
Van Vleuten loses time but easily maintains a commanding lead going into Sunday’s final stage
-
Fresh start for Dylan Groenewegen after comeback victory at Tour de France
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider is at his first Tour de France since serving his nine-month suspension for causing crash
-
Kristen Faulkner cools down after making a splash at the Giro Donne
The American headed straight for the sea to after winning the stage and taking the Giro Donne overall lead
-
Simon Yates misses out on Tour de France selection
Team BikeExchange-Jayco opt for sprint focussed line-up focused on Dylan Groenewegen
-
Simon Yates abandons Giro d'Italia with ongoing knee issue
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider won two stages, but missed out on GC challenge
