How Matthew Brennan suddenly became Visma | Lease a Bike’s forward option for Omloop — and what he says about it

“Matthew doesn’t replace Wout, but our race plan obviously changes,” was the line coming from the squad. And Brennan himself? The famously stoical Brit is taking it all in his stride.

Brennan already raced Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2025. Back then, he had only just shown his face at the Tour Down Under in January, before being added late to the Belgian Classic selection. He finished a relatively anonymous 69th, not knowing that one year later he would be talked about as a top favourite.

The relaxed-looking Brit can point to what has changed since then. “Last year I wasn’t at the press conference,” he notes dryly.

“And besides that I gained a lot of experience outside the race — that was the most important thing from that Omloop. It’s small things, but they matter: eating enough carbohydrates, organising your day, and so on. It’s not like you can start a Spring Classic and just do your thing.”

The 20-year-old Brennan began his season the same way as last year, in Australia, where he picked up a stage win. “But more importantly: I gained confidence there,” he says. “I produced good numbers and felt like I was in really good shape — maybe I didn’t fully manage to show that.”

“In particular, I felt good with tired legs, so I’m confident I can fight,” he adds as he looks ahead to Omloop. What is the goal? “I mainly hope to still be there at the end of the race.”

So… for the win? “Yes — but we still have options. Not having Wout is obviously a big loss. But we still have a strong team, and it could easily be that other riders seize their chance.”

Brennan’s “extra” is that he can potentially win the race in more than one scenario. How would he draw it up himself? “A hard race usually suits me best, but it also depends on how you feel on the day.”

“We can play several cards,” he says again, pointing to teammates such as Christophe Laporte, Axel Zingle and Per Strand Hagenes. “I expect we’ll race aggressively, and with the conditions — a tailwind in the finale — that can be the best approach.”

The day after Omloop, Brennan is also set to start Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne as Visma | Lease a Bike’s leader. “That race suits me too — but first: Omloop.” And another press conference afterwards, to make it completely different from last year?