Brennan follows Cavendish with victory in Belgium

Matthew Brennan became the first Briton since cycling great Sir Mark Cavendish to win the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne one-day race in Belgium.

The 20-year-old’s sprint finish was too much for his rivals as he surged to victory in the 195km race and followed Cavendish’s success in 2012 and 2015.

“I’ve ridden this race twice as a junior,” said Visma-Lease a Bike rider Brennan, who was able to ride despite a heavy fall on Saturday in Omloop Nieuwsblad.

“We’ve always stood at the finish line and watched all the pros at the time come through and do their race.

“To be in that situation now where I can put my hands up in the air and I’ve actually won the pro race is fantastic.

“Hopefully, more to come – that’s the ambition.”