Brennan admits sprint mistake after Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Throughout the day, Brennan's team executed their plan to perfection, keeping their sprinter sheltered and positioned as the race tackled the punishing local circuit. The Challambra Crescent, climbed multiple times in the finale, served as the race's natural selection point, and Brennan was exactly where he needed to be each time.

"The team made sure I was in a good position throughout the entire race," Brennan said in the team's post-race report. "I was always excellently positioned when entering the Challambra Crescent, which was always a key point on the local circuit."

As the race reached its crescendo, Brennan showed he had the form to match the occasion. Each acceleration from rivals was met with a composed response, the Briton tracking the moves with confidence as the reduced front group jostled for position heading into the final kilometer.

"In the finale, I had the legs to respond to the accelerations every time," he explained.

But when the moment came to unleash his sprint, Brennan's judgment failed him. Opening up his effort with roughly 100 meters more road than ideal, the youngster watched his opportunity slip away as fresher legs came past in the closing meters.

"Unfortunately, I launched my sprint about a hundred meters too early," Brennan admitted. "That was a misjudgement."

Brennan’s next race will be on the Opening Weekend, where he lines up for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. He is then set to make his first Monument start at Milano-Sanremo. After the form he showed in his neo-pro season, he is expected to be among the favourites for several of these races.

Previously, Visma | Lease a Bike Head of Racing Grischa Niermann said he believes Brennan has the talent to win a Monument in the future.