Matthew Brennan’s words show how much the peloton will miss Steven Kruijswijk

The tally of Visma | Lease a Bike in the Vuelta a España has remained stuck at seven. The Dutch team was considered the favourite for the final stage in Granada with Wout van Aert and Matthew Brennan as its main contenders, but things did not go entirely according to plan. Brennan still managed to finish fourth and spoke to Eurosport afterwards about his race.

Brennan enjoyed the final stage. “For me, this did not really feel like something new. I like racing this way, you know: riding at the front and being involved. These kinds of days give me the chance to show that. So yes, I am happy with my performance. In the end, I was able to get back in contact just before the summit,” said the Brit.

After that, all eyes were on Brennan, who was unable to solve the situation on his own in Granada. “It was clear that they were watching me closely and doing everything they could to not take me to the finish. That is understandable, of course, because I already have five victories in the bag,” the Brit explained.

“They played it smart. With the energy I had left, I simply could not do any more. But still, a fourth place. I am happy with that after 21 days of racing.”

And so Brennan’s first Grand Tour came to an end, while it was the final one for his teammate Steven Kruijswijk. “It was very special. Especially with Stevie there; he had already said himself that, despite his long and successful career, he had never experienced this much success in a Grand Tour before. To finish at such a high point for him is fantastic, and it is really special to be part of that.”

“He has meant an incredible amount to me and the other guys over the years, so we are absolutely going to miss him. I think many riders in the peloton will also miss his grinding, steady pace. That is such a typical ‘Stevie Kruijswijk action’. It is a shame that we will not have him with us anymore, but he has had an incredible career,” said Brennan, who then reflected on the lessons he learned from his first Grand Tour.

“Especially how incredibly fast the racing is. We give everything as a team, but on days like this you learn the most. You are racing at the absolute highest level in the peloton here. I am happy that I was able to compete at the front and that I can take these valuable lessons with me,” said the Brit.