Mathew Hayman: "We're not on a gran fondo here."

Cycling Central's first The Discussion with Matthew Keenan, presented by BikeBug, kicked off on Facebook Live last night. Keeno spoke to 2016 Paris-Roubaix winner Mathew Hayman and it produced some gems.

Mathew Hayman crosses the finish line ahead of Tom Boonen and Ian Stannard at Paris-Roubaix (Getty) Source: Getty Images

The theme of last night's The Discussion was perseverance and pave, much like Mathew Hayman's career. 

"Always keep riding," was the advice Hayman received early on his career from Belgian rider Mark Wauters, a major influence on the 38-year-old Australian. The little known Belgian rider had a stint in the yellow jersey but like Hayman loves Paris-Roubaix.

Matthew Hayman Source: SBS

"For me, it's like Christmas and in the afternoon you realise you have to wait another year. I like all the Belgian classics. Flanders is like being at a rock concert for six and half hours, but Roubaix is the one that's pretty special."

And just like two kids at Christmas, Keeno and Hayman relived the finale of this year's edition. It's something you have to watch yourself, we won't give you any spoilers.

Keeno also asked the Canberran about his level of confidence going up against Tom Boonen in the sprint and how "going on to that velodrome, (Boonen) had won 100 races, you'd won three."

Hayman answered "everybody stands up in the morning, we've all got two legs." 

While Hayman's motto is to always keep riding, it is of course not without purpose. Keeno asked how winning Paris-Roubaix and making it to Paris this year in the Tour de France, the first time in his long career, compared.

"We're not on a grand fondo here," he answered. "It's about racing it's not just about finishing races but it's still like getting to the velodrome at Roubaix."

Despite this, Hayman said he was choked up after finishing on Champs-Elysees. 

Hayman was also asked a couple times by fans why he didn't have his cobblestone trophy with him. 

"It's almost 15 kilos. I don't want to get stopped at the airport and told I couldn't take it. When it comes, it'll come for good." 

Other topics covered during last night's The Discussion included: why Hayman won't be riding the 2017 Tour Down Under; what it's like really riding for Orica-BikeExchange; what Tom Boonen said to him; his other riding influence; his first race against fellow Canberran cyclist Michael Rogers; and the first school drop off after he won Paris-Roubaix. 

Don't forget Bikebug has supplied two pairs of high-end Lake 301/332 Cycling shoes as prizes, valued at up to $500 each. To win, watch an episode where Matthew Keenan will test your cycling knowledge with a question and leave an answer in the comments section of that Facebook LIVE broadcast.