Matthew Brennan dismisses Mark Cavendish and Wout Van Aert comparisons - 'I have to follow my own plan'
Published 07/05/2025 at 09:56 GMT+1
Much is expected of England's Visma-Lease a Bike youngster Matthew Brennan, who at 19 already has some impressive wins under his belt. The GP de Denain champion's eye-catching performances have earned him comparisons with sprinting greats Mark Cavendish and Wout van Aert, but the teenager has insisted he intends to "build my own career", highlighting his own unique strengths.
‘Get used to seeing this!’ – Brennan too strong for rivals on Stage 1 of Tour de Romandie
Video credit: TNT Sports
Matthew Brennan has distanced himself from comparisons with Mark Cavendish and Wout van Aert after an impressive start to his career.
The 19-year-old Briton has secured race victories at the GP de Denain as well as stages of the Volta a Catalunya and Tour de Romandie.
Having emerged with Visma-Lease A Bike as a powerful sprinter, there have been inevitable comparisons with Cavendish, who retired last year.
There have also been suggestions that Brennan could be the eventual successor to team-mate Van Aert.
"If people want to compare me to them, that's fine. I take it as a compliment," Brennan said.
"But I shouldn't do that, I should focus on myself. If I want to achieve something, I have to follow my own plan and build my own career.
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‘Get used to seeing this!’ – Brennan too strong for rivals on Stage 1 of Tour de Romandie
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I'm not Wout van Aert, I'm not Mark Cavendish," he added. "They also each followed their own path. And it is very clear that I am nowhere near those two. I think I am also just different. Cavendish didn't win a stage with 3,000 climbing metres, for example. And Van Aert has a much bigger engine than I do."
Brennan outlined his future aspirations with Visma-Lease a Bike, with his sights set on the Tour de France.
Asked about his dream races, he said: "The Tour of Flanders, and a stage in the Tour de France, specifically the one in 2027, with the Grand Depart in the UK.
"I haven't told the team that they must definitely include me in the selection, but I have indicated that it is one of my big goals.
"I want to work towards that, without putting pressure on myself. If I don't make it, I'll be OK with that, too."
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