2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, Stage 3: Brennan makes history with breakthrough Ampthill sprint
Matthew Brennan announced himself on the biggest stage with a historic sprint victory in Ampthill, becoming the youngest stage winner in Tour of Britain Men history
Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) delivered a landmark victory in Ampthill, becoming the youngest stage winner in Tour of Britain Men history. At just 20 years old, the Darlington rider powered to glory on stage 3, underlining his status as one of the brightest prospects in the sport.
Featured image: Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
Report
The 122.8km stage rolled out from Milton Keynes under grey skies and rain, but the roadside crowds were undeterred. An early four-man break formed: Casper Pedersen (Soudal–QuickStep), Robin Froidevaux (Tudor Pro Cycling), Mats Wenzel (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Great Britain’s Ben Chilton.
The escapees animated the circuit-based route through Bedfordshire, Wenzel taking maximum points at both intermediate sprints while Chilton secured enough climbing points across the twin ascents of Hillfoot to pull on the King of the Mountains jersey. The quartet’s efforts were valiant, but their lead evaporated with 11km to go as the sprint teams took control.
Casper Pedersen (Soudal Quick-Step). Image: Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
In the chaotic finale, Team Visma | Lease a Bike played their trump card. Race leader Olav Kooij, winner of the opening two stages, turned lead-out man for his young teammate. Brennan latched onto Kooij’s wheel before unleashing a devastating sprint that left the rest floundering. He crossed the line clear of Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates–XRG), punching the air in disbelief at a career-defining moment.
“This was always the plan,” Brennan said. “The team told me, ‘you can’t come to your home race and not try to win something’. To be given that opportunity, especially with Olav in the leader’s jersey, is really special. It was chaotic, but I just followed his wheel – and he put me in the perfect position.”
Victory marked Brennan’s 12th win of a remarkable debut season and lifted him to second overall, just 10 seconds behind teammate Kooij. Dainese sits third at 14 seconds. Kooij continues to hold the points jersey, while Brennan takes over the youth classification. Chilton’s breakaway exploits earned him the combativity award.
Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) wins stage 3. Image: Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
Kooij was magnanimous afterwards: “It feels nice – another day where we worked hard to set up the sprint. I was happy to do my job for Matthew. The rest of the week will get harder, but with this team we have options.”
Stage 4 on Friday promises a sterner test: the race’s longest day at 186.9km from Atherstone to Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, ending with three ascents of a punishing 9% climb that will shape the general classification battle.
Matthew Brennan (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) delivered a landmark victory in Ampthill, becoming the youngest stage winner in Tour of Britain Men history. At just 20 years old, the Darlington rider powered to glory on stage 3, underlining his status as one of the brightest prospects in the sport.
Featured image: Bruce Rollinson/SWpix.com
Report
The 122.8km stage rolled out from Milton Keynes under grey skies and rain, but the roadside crowds were undeterred. An early four-man break formed: Casper Pedersen (Soudal–QuickStep), Robin Froidevaux (Tudor Pro Cycling), Mats Wenzel (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Great Britain’s Ben Chilton.
The escapees animated the circuit-based route through Bedfordshire, Wenzel taking maximum points at both intermediate sprints while Chilton secured enough climbing points across the twin ascents of Hillfoot to pull on the King of the Mountains jersey. The quartet’s efforts were valiant, but their lead evaporated with 11km to go as the sprint teams took control.
In the chaotic finale, Team Visma | Lease a Bike played their trump card. Race leader Olav Kooij, winner of the opening two stages, turned lead-out man for his young teammate. Brennan latched onto Kooij’s wheel before unleashing a devastating sprint that left the rest floundering. He crossed the line clear of Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling) and Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates–XRG), punching the air in disbelief at a career-defining moment.
“This was always the plan,” Brennan said. “The team told me, ‘you can’t come to your home race and not try to win something’. To be given that opportunity, especially with Olav in the leader’s jersey, is really special. It was chaotic, but I just followed his wheel – and he put me in the perfect position.”
Victory marked Brennan’s 12th win of a remarkable debut season and lifted him to second overall, just 10 seconds behind teammate Kooij. Dainese sits third at 14 seconds. Kooij continues to hold the points jersey, while Brennan takes over the youth classification. Chilton’s breakaway exploits earned him the combativity award.
Kooij was magnanimous afterwards: “It feels nice – another day where we worked hard to set up the sprint. I was happy to do my job for Matthew. The rest of the week will get harder, but with this team we have options.”
Stage 4 on Friday promises a sterner test: the race’s longest day at 186.9km from Atherstone to Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, ending with three ascents of a punishing 9% climb that will shape the general classification battle.
Results
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