Matthew Brennan triumphantly claimed the long-distance sprint victory at the Tour de Pologne, nevertheless committing a rare misjudgment along the way.
Young Sprinter Matthew Brennan Wins Tough Stage at Tour de Pologne
In a remarkable display of endurance and power, 20-year-old Matthew Brennan, a member of Team Visma-Lease a Bike, claimed victory in a challenging stage at the 2025 Tour de Pologne. The stage, which included a long unclassified climb through the Carpathian foothills and a technical run-in through Zakopane, was run off at an average speed of over 42kmh.
Brennan's victory came despite a misjudged sprint, where he launched his final acceleration too early from over 300 meters out on a long uphill finish. Despite calling it "a bit of a stupid move," Brennan was able to hold off a chasing group and win the stage by two bike lengths, making it the longest and one of the toughest sprints of his career due to the uphill gradient and nearly 3,000 meters of climbing over 206 kilometers.
This victory marked Brennan's ninth win of the season, four of which are at WorldTour level. Notable victories include those at the Volta a Catalunya, the Tour de Romandie, and multiple stages in the Tour de Pologne, making him Visma–Lease a Bike's most successful rider this year.
Brennan's success with Visma can be attributed to the focused support he has received, which aims to make him the best rider and person off the bike. He believes that Visma's approach to combining racing success with personal well-being has been a significant factor in his success this season.
Before joining Visma, Brennan raced abroad as a teenager, with his weekend schedule consisting of driving to Belgium, racing, and driving home, all while managing to attend school on Monday mornings. He also worked on improving his performance with trainers, staff, and nutritionists alongside Tom Pidcock, a fellow young British cyclist.
In the past, Brennan and Pidcock raced together, and they are both focused on finding improvements from the ground up, rather than just seeking small improvements. Brennan's success with Visma has led to his establishment in the senior squad, and he will continue to strive for success in the upcoming races.
Meanwhile, Ben Turner, Brennan's compatriot and stage 3 winner, was several bike lengths behind him at the finish line. Alberto Bettiol (XDS Astana Team) and Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG) made a bid for freedom in the closing kilometres but were caught.
As Brennan continues to impress with his performances, he is positioning himself as one of the most promising young talents in cycling at just 20 years old. His rapid adaptation from last season’s Continental level to WorldTour racing has been remarkable, and he is sure to be a force to reckon with in future races.
Matthew Brennan's victory at the Tour de Pologne demonstrates his promise in sports, showcasing his endurance and racing skills as he clinched a challenging stage. His success this season, with nine wins, four of which are at WorldTour level, positions him as one of the most promising young talents in cycling.
