'A few things that we want to tweak' – Runner up spot for Matthew Brennan in Tour Down Under stage 1 but optimistic for next chance

TANUNDA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Matthew Brennan of Great Britain and Team Visma | Lease a Bike celebrates at podium as White Best Young Rider Jersey winner during the 26th Santos Tour Down Under 2026, Stage 1 a 120.6km stage from Tanunda to Tanunda on January 21, 2026 in Tanunda, Australia. (Photo by Con Chronis/Getty Images).

Last year, Matthew Brennan burst onto the WorldTour scene when he clinched a second place on the first stage of the Tour Down Under, where with a powerful acceleration in Gumeracha he came close to unseating a celebrating Sam Welsford.

The British rider then went on to have a breakthrough season, winning 14 races including stage victories at the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and Tour de Romandie and the overall at the Tour of Norway.