“It was a hectic finale” – Brennan confirms breakout year with second at Super 8 Classic

Matthew Brennan’s 2025 season reached another milestone at the Super 8 Classic in Belgium, where the 20-year-old Team Visma | Lease a Bike rider sprinted to second place behind Arnaud De Lie. While victory slipped away in the final meters, the result underlined a breakout year that has established Brennan as one of the brightest young talents in the peloton. Arguably only Isaac del Toro has had a more impressive breakout year than Brennan in 2025.

“It was a hectic finale,” Brennan said in a team release. “In the final kilometer there was really no control. I tried to follow Arnaud, because I knew he was the strongest sprinter in the group. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough left to come past him in the end. He is the rightful winner.”

Brennan has been one of the standout revelations of 2025, amassing 12 professional wins across a wide range of races. His victories include the overall title at the Tour of Norway, two stages at the Volta a Catalunya, and a stage at the Tour of Britain. Performances like these have made him a consistent finisher and a rider trusted in the finales of major races, even in the company of established stars such as Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte.

“I enjoy racing in the Flemish classics,” Brennan said. “The team worked excellently all day, and in the finale Wout supported me fantastically. It’s special that such great riders believe in me. Without their help, I probably wouldn’t have been on the podium today.”

That sense of belonging at the front of races has been the hallmark of his season. At just 20 years old, Brennan has shown the tactical awareness and finishing speed required to compete with the very best. Even in defeat, his reflections point to maturity beyond his years and a clear understanding of how to turn opportunities into results. He will be one to watch in 2026.