The next generation of British cycling continues to make a name for itself on European roads. While Noah Hobbs claimed a sprint double at the Tour de Bretagne, Matthew Brennan, still only 19, underlined his enormous potential by winning the longest stage of the Tour de Romandie. Two emphatic victories, both achieved with style and control, reflecting the excellent health of British development cycling.
(© X/ Tour de Bretagne)
Noah Hobbs: Sprinting supremacy on Breton soil.
On Wednesday 30 April, during Stage 6 of the Tour de Bretagne, Noah Hobbs once again let his legs do the talking in a bruising sprint finish in Le Pertre. The 20-year-old from EF Education-Aevolo powered to victory ahead of two determined French rivals, fending off challenges from Aubin Sparfel (Decathlon AG2R) and Emmanuel Houcou (Arkéa-B & B Hôtels). Having already bagged a win earlier in the race on Stage 2, Hobbs doubled up with poise and composure, underlining his credentials as one of the most exciting young sprinters of his generation.
This second win in the space of five days marks a significant milestone : it’s the first time Hobbs has shown such consistency across a European stage race, proving he’s not just a one-off performer. In a tense finale, where poor positioning could have been costly, Hobbs launched earlier than usual but held his speed all the way to the line. “It was a tight one,” he admitted afterward, visibly relieved but by no means surprised. EF Education-Aevolo had marshalled the peloton superbly throughout the day, and Hobbs delivered the payoff with clinical precision.
Having previously ridden for the Groupama-FDJ Continental team in 2023 and 2024, Hobbs’ return to the U23 North American circuit is paying dividends. Far from a step backwards, it’s becoming a launchpad for a serious career. With his eyes now set on the U23 edition of Gent-Wevelgem on 11 May, Hobbs is building a compelling case for inclusion in future WorldTour squads.
While his sprinting prowess has grabbed the headlines, Hobbs’ versatility shouldn’t be overlooked. He is, undeniably, a complete rider, something his track record quite literally demonstrates. With medals in both individual endurance events and team disciplines at European and national level, he brings a depth of ability that few of his peers can match. In Brittany, he’s not just taken wins, he’s made a statement, and all on the eve of a wide-open final stage where Norwegian rider Felix Ørn-Kristoff just about clings to the leader’s jersey. Regardless of how the GC shakes out, Hobbs’ name is already etched in the notebooks of WorldTour scouts across the continent.
Matthew Brennan: Swiss success confirms the prodigy’s rise.
He’s only 19, but everything about the way Matthew Brennan races exudes maturity. On Wednesday, the young Brit from Visma-Lease a Bike took a commanding win on Stage 1 of the Tour de Romandie, from Münchenstein to Fribourg. The stage finished on a slight uphill drag after almost 200 kilometres of racing and over 3,000 metres of climbing, no easy feat. But Brennan, already a double stage winner at the Volta a Catalunya in March and victor at the GP Denain, made it look routine.
Despite a lumpy profile through the Jura and some punchy climbs along the way, the day was mostly controlled by the peloton, with the main contenders opting for caution. A breakaway animated the opening kilometres, but the group was reeled in well before Fribourg, where Brennan showcased his tactical awareness. He timed his effort perfectly on the final ramp, surged from an ideal position, and simply rode away from his rivals, besting France’s Aurélien Paret-Peintre and American talent Artem Schmidt with authority.
It was his fourth pro win already and his third in WorldTour company, further cementing his place among the sport’s brightest prospects. Like Hobbs, Brennan is a well-rounded rider. His pedigree on the track speaks volumes: a world and European junior champion in a range of events, from individual pursuit to madison to scratch race. That ability to excel across such a diverse set of disciplines highlights not just raw physical talent but also the kind of mental adaptability that sets future stars apart. There’s no doubt those experiences on the boards have given him the tools to read races, conserve energy, and execute winning moves on the road, skills that will serve him well for years to come.
His victory also sees him take the leader’s jersey, displacing fellow Brit Samuel Watson, who had won the previous day’s prologue. That in itself is a striking image for British cycling: two young homegrown riders trading the overall lead at a major WorldTour race. It’s testament to the strength of the current development pipeline and the success of blending track and road programmes.
Brennan, groomed through Visma’s development ranks and fast-tracked into the senior squad, is already repaying that faith. With big names like Remco Evenepoel, Geraint Thomas and Paret-Peintre still looming in the general classification, the Tour de Romandie is far from decided. But Brennan has already fired a warning shot, he’s not here to learn, he’s here to win. And for a rider entrusted so young by arguably the world’s most well-drilled team, that’s no surprise at all.
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