Visma-Lease A Bike’s new rising star Matthew Brennan distances himself from comparisons to Mark Cavendish and teammate Wout van Aert. The British neo-pro says he wants to focus on himself and building his career, rather than trying to emulate other champions.

At just 19 years old, Brennan has already proved to be one of the most interesting surprises of this spring, collecting four professional victories, including the GP de Denain and stages at the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de Romandie, as well as making his debut at Paris-Roubaix.

"If people want to compare me to them, that's fine, I take it as a compliment," Brennan said in an interview. "But I shouldn't have to do that. I have to focus on myself . If I want to achieve something, I have to follow my plan and build my career."

'I'm not Van Aert , I'm not Cavendish . Each of them has followed their own path. And it's very clear that I'm still far from their level. I think I'm simply different. Cavendish, for example, has never won a stage with 3,000 meters of elevation gain. And Van Aert has a much more powerful engine than I do.'

The young Briton cites his win at the GP de Denain as his best day on the bike so far, a result that has opened up new opportunities for him, including a call-up to Paris-Roubaix. Here he rode alongside Van Aert, even leading him at points in the race before finishing 44th.

For the future, Brennan has already outlined his dreams: 'The Tour of Flanders and a stage at the Tour de France, especially the 2027 one with the Grand Départ in the UK. I haven't told the team that they absolutely have to select me, but I have indicated that it is one of my big goals. I want to work towards it, without putting pressure on myself. If I don't succeed, I will accept it.'