Matthew Brennan confirmed no signal of slowing down within the Volta a Catalunya on Friday as neither two onerous days within the mountains nor the fraught, crosswind-filled finale proved too massive an impediment for the 19-year-old to rack up a second stage victory within the race
Taking one win for the Visma-Lease A Bike racer was a powerful sufficient feat already, given that is his first 12 months within the WorldTour, and as he advised Cyclingnews earlier this week, he had by no means tackled a lot climbing earlier than as he did throughout stage 3’s trek by the Pyrenees.
Yet, Brennan has not solely proved as much as the duty of getting by the climbing levels, however when the Volta bunch break up to bits within the galeforce crosswinds on Friday, he was again within the combine – and profitable once more.
“Two wins is bonkers!” was his succinct evaluation of the size of his success within the Volta up to now.
“Being within the chief’s jersey for 3 days and this jersey [points] now, it is actually unbelievable. I actually didn’t come into this race anticipating that. It’s unbelievable.
“It was a super-strong headwind end, so I knew individuals would hit it too early. I used to be browsing the wheels and having that escape route I acquired fortunate, and I hit it proper. So I’m actually pleased.”
Getting the dash proper was solely the ultimate a part of the jigsaw, although, on a day when crosswinds noticed a number of echelons forming on the final a part of the stage. Visma put 5 riders within the entrance group of 29, which ensured a powerful presence for Brennan within the closing kilometres.
“It was actually chaotic coming into the finale. We knew there can be a little bit of cross-wind. I used to be a little bit bit far again,” Brennan recounted.
“But we managed to type of transfer up. Simon [Yates] did as nicely, after which we labored. There was a niche and a gaggle of us away, so we pushed on. I’m very grateful to the crew for his or her work at the moment. Overall, we completed in a fantastic place.”
Points classification chief Brennan on the rostrum after his second victory of the week (Image credit score: Getty Images)
On Friday, he wore the factors jersey on Thursday instead of classification chief Primož Roglič. But now, Brennan has gained a slender benefit because of his newest win, and on stage 6, he’ll put on the jersey in his personal proper.
Now 5 factors forward of latest race chief Juan Ayuso, Brennan might be able to maintain onto that lead within the two remaining days. Saturday’s ultra-mountainous stage to Queralt might make it tough to maintain the GC contenders at bay earlier than Barcelona, whereas his Visma crew might be focussed on supporting ninth-placed Yates.
However, Sunday’s hilly stage profile with its quick end in Montjuïc Park might swing issues again in Brennan’s favour – not only for the factors jersey but additionally for a 3rd stage win, too.
“It’d be good, though I feel tomorrow [Saturday] is a extremely onerous day, and I feel the climate will flip as nicely, though as I’m from the UK, most likely that’ll flip in my favour,” he mentioned with a smile.
“But Saturday’s a extremely robust day, then we’re going into Barcelona, which can be fairly a busy one. We’ll simply should do what we will.
“I have never seemed on the profile [for Sunday] too deeply, however I’m motivated to present it a very good strive. Today exhibits we’ll actually within the recreation and actually motivated to nonetheless trigger some extra hassle on this race.”
