"We will be going for stage wins" – Visma shifts focus with star Matthew Brennan at Tour de Pologne

Eight days after the Tour de France wrapped up in Paris, the men’s WorldTour calendar picks up again today with the start of the 2025 Tour de Pologne. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the approach this year looks markedly different. After winning the overall classification in 2024 with Jonas Vingegaard, the Dutch team arrives in Poland with no general classification ambitions and a clear goal: stage wins.

“We will be going for stage wins coming week,” said sports director Jesper Mørkøv in a team press release. “Unlike last year, we don't have any GC riders with us, but we have a strong team around Olav and Matthew. Olav is our leader in the flat stages and Matthew will try to take his chances in the more difficult stages."

Olav Kooij, one of the most consistent sprinters in the peloton over the past two seasons, will take charge on the flatter days. But the week also presents a development opportunity for 19-year-old Brit Matthew Brennan, who has already impressed in his first year at WorldTour level. While Brennan is expected to be active in the hillier stages, his primary task will be leading out Kooij during the sprints.

“Besides the fact that Matthew can provide an excellent lead-out for Olav, it is beneficial for his development to learn how to set up a sprint,” said Mørkøv. “Of course, it remains to be seen how it will turn out, but I am confident that it will go well."

Brennan shares his director’s optimism. Despite his limited experience in sprint lead-outs, he sees the week in Poland as an ideal learning opportunity. "I'm looking forward to racing with Olav. He has proven himself to be one of the best sprinters in the world in recent years, so I'm sure I can learn a lot from him."

Brennan also spoke about the unique perspective a lead-out rider gains in the final kilometers of a race. "As a lead-out, you see the sprint from a different view and notice things you wouldn't normally see. Those are very valuable lessons. It's important for my development to see how a sprinter works and how he uses his abilities. Although it's a completely new experience for me, I think it will help me a lot in the future."

The British rider heads into the Tour de Pologne with momentum, and as one of the year’s breakout stars. His season so far includes nine victories and an overall win at the Tour of Norway, a strong start for a first-year pro. “I really enjoyed it. At the start of the season, my goal was to win a race, but I have far exceeded my own expectations," Brennan said. "It's great that the team doesn't put any pressure on me and focuses on my development. That way, I can continue to make progress in the right direction."