Brenner "did many big races" at DSM-Firmenich... and that is precisely why he left: "At Tudor, I am more in that role"

Not so long ago, Marco Brenner, along with Oscar Onley and Max Poole, represented the future in terms of the general classification for Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL. The two Brits signed a contract until the end of 2027, thus tying their futures to the team. However, German Brenner surprisingly chose a different path. In consultation with the team, his contract was torn up prematurely, allowing him to sign with the Swiss team Tudor Pro Cycling. IDLProCycling.com spoke with Brenner about the how, what and why behind this move.

In 2023, Brenner told us he was facing a lingering back injury, which constantly held him back. "I have been to several hospitals for examinations. I have been to the physiotherapist. It probably has to do with an accident I had during the coronavirus year 2020, with a tractor. Since then, there has been an imbalance and that is now causing problems," he said at the time.

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Brenner must do exercises to overcome back problems

Now, twelve months later and in the jersey of Tudor, the back problems still persist. But: "Physically, I'm doing better, although my back still hurts sometimes. It's good enough to race, but remains a difficult subject. It's probably an imbalance and I'm working hard on it. It's working, so I have to keep doing my exercises. That can be hard sometimes, because you have to keep motivating yourself to continue doing them. There are many riders who do nothing, but it's easier to keep going now that I know it works. I feel super good here. The fact that I won my first race is very beautiful."

That first victory came in the first stage of the Coppi e Bartali. Brenner surprised the peloton with a solo and also took the leader's jersey. He lost it due to a fall on day two, but that did not dampen his spirits. It is exactly the reason he left the WorldTour and went to ride for a procontinental team. "Tudor showed me the project and it looked very promising. It's a good place to be for me. Here I can grow alongside the team. I can play an important role in that. We're taking it step by step, with perhaps some ambitions for the general classification in smaller races. I need to gain experience, ride finals... I need to regain that racing instinct I had as a junior. Then we'll see where things go."

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Brenner finds the program and support he was looking for at Tudor

This ties into the fact that Brenner said he had "some nice years" DSM-Firmenich PostNL (as stated on Instagram), but he also felt he lost a bit of himself as a rider there. "I rode many big races in recent years, and it's difficult to compete for the win in those. That was one of my goals, that I would receive support from the team to win races and achieve results. At Tudor, I am more in that role, and I'm often in the finals of races. I can take the next step here, feel stronger and more confident. It's important for me to be in the finals. I need to develop a routine there."

The results speak for themselves. Besides his stage win in the Coppi e Bartali, Brenner also went all out in the finals of the Faun-Ardèche Classic (15th) and Trofeo Laigueglia (12th). He finished the Giro d'Abruzzo on Friday in eighth place, wearing the white young rider's jersey on his shoulders, while having worked for his teammate Yannis Voisard. In short, things are going well for him and when asked if it was difficult to terminate his contract with DSM-Firmenich PostNL prematurely, he shakes his head. "It wasn't hard for me to leave. I had a good time, but was ready to try something new. A new environment."