“It is very healthy psychologically”: Matthew Brennan’s Tour ambitions could give Jonas Vingegaard a boost — or create a major dilemma for Visma
Cycling
Matthew Brennan has not finished yet his first Grand Tour, but the 21-year-old is already forcing Visma | Lease a Bike to think about the future. The British youngster has won five stages at the Vuelta a España and now has his sights set on the 2027 Tour de France, when the race will begin in Great Britain.
Brennan has wanted that opportunity for years. He reportedly told Visma about his ambition as far back as his time as an 18-year-old development rider, long before his spectacular breakthrough in the professional ranks. His emergence now makes that dream considerably more realistic, but it could also complicate the team's plans around Jonas Vingegaard.
The question facing Visma is not whether Brennan deserves a place in the Tour squad, but how much freedom he should receive if he gets there. Giving one of cycling's most exciting young riders the opportunity to target stage victories, and potentially the yellow jersey, could mean allocating resources away from Vingegaard's bid for overall victory.
For Eurosport expert Jesper Worre, however, Brennan's presence could actually benefit the Danish leader.
Matthew Brennan has won 5 stages at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana so far
A different source of success for Visma
Worre believes Visma's recent concentration on the Vingegaard-Pogacar rivalry has placed an enormous amount of importance on the team's GC leader. Having another rider capable of producing major results could change that dynamic and create a healthier environment around Vingegaard.
“I think that, psychologically, it is very healthy, the way things are now, that they have something where all success does not depend on Jonas,” Worre said.
Worre pointed to Visma's successful 2022 Tour campaign as an example of how stage victories can influence a team's atmosphere. “We also experienced that in the 2022 Tour, where you win some stages. It spreads, and you get a good atmosphere and things like that.”
Worre also believes Visma could benefit from embracing the role of challenger rather than trying to match UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogacar head-on in every aspect of the race.
“The fact that everything depends on Jonas in the very, very difficult fight against Pogacar at the head of a very, very strong team. You can also signal that we are outsiders. That mantra that we challenge on equal terms, perhaps you need to move away from that a little and say: he is the favorite. We are challengers and outsiders.”
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Lund sees an unavoidable cost for Vingegaard
Anders Lund, however, took a very different view when the question was narrowed down to one issue: what gives Vingegaard the best possible chance of winning the Tour? “I think unequivocally that it is a bad thing,” Lund said when asked about giving Brennan an independent role.
The former Danish national coach argued that a rider with Brennan's ambitions cannot simply be added to the squad without consequences. If the Briton is expected to contest sprints and potentially fight for yellow, he will require riders dedicated to helping him.
“It would be a new point of focus that requires some riders who are dedicated to it. That means there will inevitably be fewer people concentrating on the overall classification perspective.”
Lund also rejected the idea that Vingegaard should be protected from every additional source of pressure. “Jonas is not at a point in his career where he needs to be free from taking that kind of pressure. I think it would be worse for Jonas and worse for the priorities required to be a classification team.”
That does not mean Lund believes Brennan should automatically be left out of the Tour. “It is not to say that it cannot be done, but it is a compromise. And it could well be a compromise that Visma would like to make, because there is also huge sporting value in it.”
“If you have talented riders who are kept out of the races they can win, then in the long run that is an argument for the rider to leave the team. That's just how it is,” he concluded.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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