In a thrilling finish, 37 year old Mathew outsprinted Belgian Boonen on the final bend in the velodrome.

Mathew's father Tony Haymen of Araluen, said "I am as proud as punch." Tony watched it live on SBS.

Tony said "this is the race that Mathew almost lives year to year to take part in. He has ridden in it 15 times and he has finished every time. It's such a hard race and I am really overwhelmed."

"The real icing on the cake was to pip Tom Boonen at the post."

The 257.5-kilometre ride also had a grueling 52.8 kilometres of cobbled sections.