British cyclist Matthew Brennan, 19, is set to make his highly anticipated Paris-Roubaix debut on Sunday, just three months after competing in his first WorldTour race. Brennan will race for Visma-Lease a Bike, supporting team leader Wout van Aert in the prestigious Monument, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning professional career.
Brennan’s inclusion in the Paris-Roubaix lineup was initially unplanned but came after a stellar start to his season. His impressive results include a breakthrough victory at the Grand Prix de Denain last month, followed by two WorldTour wins at the Volta a Catalunya, where he also wore the leader’s jersey for two days.
“I continue to amaze myself every week in this first professional season,” Brennan remarked. “It’s not just about the results, but also the races I’m competing in. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad was my first real Classic, and I was completely in awe the entire time. Winning at GP Denain right away was incredibly special.”
Brennan, who hails from Darlington and was born in 2005, has been making waves in cycling since joining Visma-Lease a Bike’s development squad last year. He previously raced for the UK-based Fensham Howes-MAS Design junior team and won two junior world titles on the track in 2023. He is now signed with Visma’s WorldTour squad through 2027.
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday,” he said of the Paris-Roubaix race. “It’s one of those races you dream about as a young rider. Just being able to take part feels like a significant step in my career.”
Visma-Lease a Bike’s sports director, Grischa Niermann, praised Brennan’s rapid development. “Matthew has already amazed us several times. To have three pro victories at this stage is fantastic,” Niermann said. “Given his impressive growth, we’ve adjusted his race calendar. He was initially set to ride some races with the development team, but we now believe he’s ready for the next challenge.”
While Brennan will focus on supporting his teammates during Paris-Roubaix, his participation is seen as a valuable learning opportunity. “In a Monument like Paris-Roubaix, Matthew still has much to learn,” Niermann added. “We’re not placing any result expectations on him. Our main goal is for him to gain experience that will shape his future career.”
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