At the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, victory went to Matthew, who thus becomes the youngest ever winner of this Classic, which closes the opening weekend of races in Belgium.
At just 20 years and 207 days old, the British rider from Visma-Lease a Bike has dethroned Jef Planckaert, who won in 1955 when he was 20 years and 319 days old.
«I can never thank my teammates enough – Brennan said with a smile - To be honest, I was a bit nervous all day after yesterday's crash. But in the end I managed to race my own race and win».
Yesterday's Omloop didn't go as hoped for Visma-Lease a Bike. Brennan was forced to withdraw and the best result was Christophe Laporte, who finished in fourth place. For the Dutch team, this victory lifts spirits, particularly after Van Aert's absence due to flu. «Fortunately I could count on a great team, in particular I must thank my teammate Pietro Mattio, who managed to bring me back into the race. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have won today. He really gave his all for me».
Thanks to the twenty-one-year-old from Cuneo, Brennan managed to move back to the front and find the best position for the final sprint, finishing ahead of Luca Mozzato and Matteo Trentin, both Tudor riders.
«After I got back in, we rode hard and then took the initiative. I'm so happy I managed to win. The whole team was fantastic. They did their job, with Laporte who was simply magnificent. In the end I was given the easiest task because I only had to push hard in the final 100 metres. I can never thank my teammates enough for what they did for me today».
Brennan is only twenty years old and already has 14 victories in his career, and experience doesn't elude him. We saw him win in Australia in January at the fifth stage of the Tour Down Under, but this is his first victory in a Classic that he knows very well, having won it when he was in the youth categories.
«I won this race twice when I was a junior. I remember that after the race, with the other boys we all stayed together at the finish line to watch the professional riders come in. It's incredible because now I'm the one who won among the professionals. It's a fantastic feeling. Just like that first victory in a Flemish Classic as a young rider. This one is truly my first important victory, my number one. I hope many more will follow».
Matthew Brennan dreams big and after this success at the Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne, he hopes to win the Monument Classics. «Of course I want to win those races that everyone dreams about in their lifetime, I'm talking about the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. They are iconic races and one day, not too far away, I hope to win one of them too».
Se sei giá nostro utente esegui il login altrimenti registrati.