Visma | Lease a Bike expects Gloag and Brennan to shine at Tour Down Under

Dutch formation Visma | Lease a Bike and many other WorldTour teams will start road season in Australia next Monday. The yellow-black formation goes Down Under with a young selection. On the Visma | Lease a Bike website, talented Brits Thomas Gloag, Matthew Brennan, and sports director Addy Engels look ahead to the season opener.

Gloag, who graced his return to the Czech Tour last year with a victory in the queen stage after months of injury (two broken elbows due to a car collision), looks back on it with great pleasure. "That was by far my best moment of 2024. It was already a big victory to be back on the start list of a race after a year of struggling."

"There is no better feeling than crossing the finish line with your hands up jubilantly on the queen stage. With that win, I gave something back to the people - family, friends, and the team - who supported me during that difficult period. It was a very emotional moment."

Gloag heads to Australia as GC rider

After his victory, Gloag sustained another injury, ending his season early. After a reasonable training period, the Brit looks forward to racing again. "The disappointment was big at first when I got injured again. Since October, I have been back on the bike and have had some solid months of training behind me. I hope to turn that good feeling into a nice result in the general classification at the Tour Down Under. I can't wait to race again."

The yellow-and-black formation was also supposed to include Ben Tulett at the start, but the Brit is not yet fit to compete, making Gloag the only GC rider. At least team manager Addy Engels has confidence in Gloag. "We hope Gloag will play a role in the GC, but it is difficult to say exactly what level he is at after his injury. The race is often decided on Willunga Hill, and this year, the finish of stage five. That seems like a suitable finish for Thomas."

Read more below!

Matthew Brennan

Brennan can shine among the experienced sprinters

In addition to Gloag, Brennan is another young Briton at the start. The only nineteen-year-old rider got a taste of the big time in Paris-Tours last year and hopes to gain a lot of experience again in Australia. "That was fun. Only after the finish did I realize how big that race is. I went there without pressure, which will be how it will be at the Tour Down Under. This week is mostly about learning and getting used to the highest level. Everyone is expecting some fast and hectic finals. I hope to achieve a good result in the sprint."

Engels is also interested in seeing what his pupil can show during his first WorldTour stage race and may already see some opportunities for Brennan. "Matthew showed a lot of great things last year. This race should suit him well, with tricky finishes where a powerful punch will make the difference. He normally does that well, but we won't put any pressure on him this week."

In addition to Gloag and Brennan, Tijmen Graat, Loe van Belle, Julien Vermote, Dylan van Baarle, and Menno Huising are also part of the seven-man squad at the start of the Tour Down Under.

Read also

Analysts make bold prediction for Van Aert in the Giro: "Without Pogacar and Vingegaard, he must go for the GC"

New Pogačar domestique has one year to prove himself: "I want to show the whole world that I deserve this spot"

Finally good news for INEOS Grenadiers, British formation likely to close deal with new sponsor

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe