“Van Aert thinks breakthrough is cool”: these are the plans with Visma sensation Matthew Brennan in the classics and Vuelta
With Matthew Brennan, Visma-Lease a Bike has gold in its hands for the future. Can he also make an appearance in the Flemish spring in the shadow of Wout van Aert? And does the team see a future king bee in the 20-year-old Briton?
From the Tour of Catalonia to the Tour de Romandie and from the Tour of Poland to the Tour of Britain. Storm Brennan wreaked havoc almost everywhere last year.
The British sensation eventually clocked up 12 professional victories. Only Pogacar, Magnier, Del Toro and Merlier did better. Punishment for a neo-pro.
The media quickly makes comparisons with his leader Wout van Aert. “But we don’t see it that way. Brennan has different qualities and a different character,” says Robbert de Groot (Head of Development at Visma-Lease a Bike).
“Wout thinks it’s very cool that a young man like Brennan is breaking through. It’s also fantastic to see that someone of Wout’s status wants to share his experience with a young teammate.”
What makes Brennan so special and loved? “He radiates enormous maturity and tranquility. The older riders can greatly appreciate that for someone of that age.”
“Brennan is only 20, but he keeps a good overview of his performance and goals. He knows exactly what he wants.”
Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard and Matthew Brennan.
Winner in classics?
Brennan can sprint, time trial and can easily climb a hill. All weapons with which he can (one day) hit the classics.
“Last season he rode the Omloop and Paris-Roubaix as a 19-year-old. This year we want him to gain more experience in the Flemish classics as quickly as possible,” says De Groot.
“But we won’t hesitate to play Brennan in the classics when we can.”
Can we already write down the nugget as the winner of a classic this spring?
“The first goal is to get as far as possible in the final to support other top riders such as Van Aert. Then we will see if that can lead to more,” De Groot remains cautious.
It is possible that Brennan will go for the points jersey in the Vuelta.
Robbert de Groot (Head of Performance)
After the spring, Brennan will focus on the British Championship and his first major tour: the Vuelta.
With what ambitions is the British top talent moving to Spain?
“In the Vuelta, the team will ignore the general classification and aim for day victories and possibly associated jerseys.”
“It could be that Brennan goes for the points jersey. But that jersey could also be an option for Wout.”
Queen bee
How does a 20-year-old like Brennan deal with his status?
“He remains very calm about it and does not experience it as pressure at all.”
“Brennan is really just concerned with what he needs to do to be the best version of himself. He is on a path that we are all still discovering.”
Does the yellow-black formation in the young Brit see a future king bee?
“We first want to see whether he can become one of our top riders in the classics,” he said without pressure.
