Matthew Brennan content with second place on Volta a Catalunya day two: "To still come second and also keep the leader's jersey is already very nice"

After claiming a breakthrough victory on Stage 1, Matthew Brennan couldn’t quite replicate the magic on Tuesday, finishing second behind Ethan Vernon on Stage 2 of the Volta a Catalunya. The 19-year-old rising star from Team Visma | Lease a Bike still retains the overall lead and continues to impress in his first full season at the WorldTour level.

Vernon, riding for Israel–Premier Tech, came out on top in a chaotic bunch sprint, using his raw power and positioning to secure the win. Brennan, despite getting boxed in during the finale, showed remarkable poise and strength to recover and launch a late surge to the line.

"It was quite chaotic," Brennan told CyclingProNet after the stage. "I was in a good wheel, after which I wanted to go around the riders. Then I got a bit stuck. I eventually got around them, but unfortunately it wasn't enough."

The disappointment was clear, but so too was the maturity in his reflection as he still managed to defeat Kaden Groves. "I also felt good at the finish, so I'm a bit disappointed that I could start so late. That's cycling, you know. To still come second and also keep the leader's jersey is already very nice."