“We got the maximum we could have today” – Matteo Trentin proud as Tudor place two riders on Kuurne podium

Tudor Pro Cycling Team left Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne without the winner’s trophy, but with something that may prove just as significant in the context of Opening Weekend: depth.

With Luca Mozzato finishing second and Matteo Trentin third behind Matthew Brennan, Tudor placed two riders on the podium in one of the most attritional editions of Kuurne in recent years.

“I think we got the maximum we could have today,” Trentin said afterwards in quotes to Cycling Pro Net. “Unfortunately, we had to start with five guys because of all the injuries we got yesterday in several crashes. Me and Luca were the two guys who were protected out of the five.”

For a team already reduced in numbers after Omloop, that return felt closer to validation than frustration.

Kuurne never settled into a straightforward sprint script. The pace lifted over the hills, crosswinds split the race inside the final 35 kilometres, and the expected full bunch never truly reformed.

Within that chaos, Tudor simplified the plan. “We spoke when we passed on the finish,” Trentin explained. “He’s really good in the bunch sprint, and I’m also pretty good. So we kind of worked for each other until we hit the last five kilometres, and then everyone took his own trajectory to the line.”

That clarity was visible in the finale. While other teams scrambled to reorganise after splits and punctures, Tudor had two cards to play in the reduced front group.

When the sprint opened, Brennan proved the strongest. Behind him, Mozzato and Trentin delivered second and third. “Second and third. So, pretty cool.”

In most scenarios, a team placing two riders on the podium without winning might leave a lingering sense of what could have been.

Trentin did not see it that way. “Matthew won pretty clear,” he said. “Having two guys on the podium is still nice for the team.”

It was also a demonstration of resilience. Starting with only five riders after the injuries on Saturday, Tudor did not retreat into damage limitation. Instead, they positioned consistently, responded to moves and arrived in Kuurne with options.

Trentin himself noted the difference from Omloop the previous day. “Yesterday the legs were good, but I was really badly positioned on the Molenberg,” he said. “When you are on the back foot in these races, and you’re not in position, you lose so much energy. Today I was always in the right position. I could jump in several groups. I still had really good legs in the final, so I’m actually surprised.”

That surprise came with satisfaction rather than regret.

As the Classics block gathers momentum, Tudor leave Opening Weekend with proof that they can compete deep into the decisive moments, even when circumstances reduce their numbers. “From now on, it will be more about racing and going from race to race and recovering in between,” Trentin said.

If Kuurne was any indication, Tudor will not be racing merely to animate the day. They have shown they can control their part of it and finish on the podium while doing so.