Milan-San Remo, the first monument of the cycling season, will see a reshuffling of the Visma-Lease a Bike team as young British sprinter Matthew Brennan has been ruled out due to illness. The 20-year-old, coming off a breakthrough 2025 season with 14 victories including a win at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, will be replaced by veteran Victor Campenaerts for Saturday’s race.
The news, confirmed by the team on Friday, is a setback for Visma-Lease a Bike, who had hoped Brennan’s burgeoning talent would contribute to their ambitions in the classic. Brennan’s absence removes a key option for the team in a race known for its unpredictable finish and potential for a sprint.
“Unfortunately, Matthew has fallen ill and is not fit enough to start in Milano-Sanremo tomorrow,” Visma-Lease a Bike stated in a social media post. “Victor will replace him.”
Campenaerts, a seasoned professional, provides a capable replacement. While typically a domestique for riders like Jonas Vingegaard, he recently demonstrated strong form at Paris-Nice, prompting the team to include him as a late addition to the Milan-San Remo roster. He will be making his fourth appearance in the race in five years.
The Visma-Lease a Bike lineup now consists of Wout van Aert, Christophe Laporte, Victor Campenaerts, Edoardo Affini, Owain Doull, Timo Kielich and Matteo Jorgenson. The team is widely expected to rally around van Aert, the 2020 Milan-San Remo champion, as their primary contender. Laporte, a former winner of Ghent-Wevelgem, and Jorgenson, a versatile all-rounder, will also be looked upon to contribute.
Brennan’s illness comes as a disappointment after a stellar 2025 campaign. His victory at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne earlier this month signaled his potential to compete at the highest level of cycling. The young rider expressed optimism after that win, stating, “and hopefully not the last,” hinting at a promising future in the sport. However, his debut in a Monument will have to wait.
Milan-San Remo, known as “La Primavera” (The Spring), is a grueling one-day race covering approximately 294 kilometers (183 miles) from Milan to San Remo. The course features a series of challenging climbs, including the Poggio di Sanremo in the final kilometers, which often serves as the launchpad for decisive attacks. The race is notorious for its tactical complexity and unpredictable nature, making it one of the most prestigious and coveted victories in professional cycling.
Campenaerts’ inclusion adds a different dynamic to the Visma-Lease a Bike strategy. While not a pure sprinter like Brennan, he possesses considerable strength and endurance, capable of contributing in the challenging climbs and potentially playing a key role in setting up van Aert for a final sprint or launching a late attack himself. His last-minute addition underscores the team’s commitment to being competitive in this iconic race.
The team’s decision to bring in Campenaerts highlights the depth of their roster and their ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. The Belgian was reportedly en route to Italy as of Friday to prepare for Saturday’s start. His experience and tactical acumen will be valuable assets as Visma-Lease a Bike aims to contend for the victory in Milan-San Remo.
The race is scheduled to begin on Saturday, March 20, 2026, and will test the endurance and tactical prowess of the world’s best cyclists. With Brennan sidelined, all eyes will be on van Aert and Campenaerts to lead the Visma-Lease a Bike team in their pursuit of glory at La Primavera.
Following Milan-San Remo, the cycling calendar continues with a series of other spring classics, including the E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix. These races will provide further opportunities for riders to showcase their skills and battle for victory in the challenging terrain of Northern Europe.
Fans can follow live coverage of Milan-San Remo on various sports networks and streaming platforms. Official updates and race information will be available on the race’s official website and social media channels.
