As the Santos Tour Down Under moves to the next phase, many of the riders we’ve seen vying for the top spots in the sprints are getting their white flags out as the attention turns to the overall contenders, for stage 3 and 5 at least and probably stage 4 as well. Not so for 19- year-old Matthew Brennan.
The British rider had already drawn the gaze before the Tour Down Under even began, taking to the third step of the podium in the pre-race criterium, the Villawood Men’s Classic. Then he stepped it up a notch, threatening to unseat a celebrating Sam Welsford (Red Bull-Bora Hansgroge) as he charged up on the left with a huge turn of speed to claim second place and also step into the white jersey of the best young rider, which he maintained with his finish in the bunch on stage 2.
While Britain’s Thomas Gloag is clearly Visma-Lease a Bike’s supported GC rider, coming back into the fray after having to grapple with yet another injury-hit season, his compatriot Brennan has definitely raised some eyebrows at his very first WorldTour race. He also has the potential to raise even more, if he turns out to not only be fast enough to have challenged Welsford on stage 1 but also a good enough climber that he can hold his own through the coming days.
“Well, I'd like to really give it a try,” Brennan said after stage 2, which had Menglers Hill which cresting just a little more than 20km from the finish line. It challenged Welsford, who had to fight his way back into the bunch, but not the Visma-Lease a Bike debutant.
"I think even on the climb today, it was pretty okay," said Brennan. "There was no part where I was under stress so I think I'm feeling pretty good for the hills tomorrow, and maybe yeah, just try and give it my all. Especially with the team, I think the team are really wanting to push for it and yeah, try and keep the white jersey, but also go for GC."
The Tour Down Under is one of those races where it seems almost inevitable that new names will make their mark. Given it is the first WorldTour race of the year neo-pros get their opening chance to shine, riders come motivated to step up as they shift teams and the vagaries of the weather, travel and uncertain form at the start of a new season play their part.
Brennan, with a podium performance at his opening WorldTour race, has already firmly put his hand up as one of these riders.
“I knew he was fast, but he surprises me, he surprises us so far," Visma-Lease a Bike sports director Addy Engels told Cyclingnews. "I don't know what he can do tomorrow. We have to see."
The third stage of the Tour Down Under is expected to be pivotal for the overall contenders with a new climb preceded by a technical lead-in. Knots Hill – 2.6km with an average gradient of 8% and peak of 13.4% – will be tackled twice. The first ascent crests with 40.8km of the 147.5km stage to go and the second at just 5.6km from the line.
"Actually did some quite nice numbers in training, so see how the legs feel tomorrow," said Brennan.
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