'Sweeter than a win' - Brennan repays Vuelta debt to 'superstar' Van Aert

Visma | Lease a Bike had Van Aert, Brennan and Bruno Armirail in the break of 43 riders that went clear early on stage 13, and they brought their strength to bear in the finale.

Brennan was in front when the group split in the final hour of racing, but he toggled swiftly into a supporting role when Van Aert bridged up over the top of the final climb of the Puerto de Granada.

The Visma pair combined smoothly in the winning move of nine on the run-in, with Brennan repeatedly shutting down attacks on behalf of Van Aert before the Belgian attacked with intent inside the final 4km.

Only Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal Quick-Step) could come with him, but the Frenchman was soundly beaten in the two-up sprint, while Brennan won the sprint for third at 24 seconds.

“Proper racing that, wasn’t it?” Brennan told Eurosport. “We wanted to try and get as many guys up front as we could and I thought I was probably the best candidate to do that. I wouldn’t say I’m cannon fodder, but there’s stronger guys behind me, let’s say, so I got in the break.

“I don’t think I was very popular in that breakaway, but I knew I had a superstar behind me and the team working at full gas to put him in the best situation possible.”

Once Van Aert joined Brennan at the front, the Briton understood his role instinctively and carried it out precisely.

“When we got to the top of the climb, I knew this is what we had to do and we had to take ownership of the race,” Brennan said. “And that's what we did immediately. I think we put a lot of pressure on the other guys. And I’m quite speechless for Wout. I think it's been a long time coming. I think to do that work today for him, it’s actually sweeter than a win. So yeah, chapeau to him and well done everyone in the team.”

On Wednesday, Brennan became the first rider to win a hat-trick of stages at his Grand Tour debut since Tadej Pogacar achieved the feat on the 2019 Vuelta. At 21, Brennan is set to be a key man in Visma’s future Classics ambitions, but he is mindful that Van Aert remains the team’s focal point in that department.

“It’s special. He’s a super guy and he works super hard and he also puts a lot of work in for myself,” Brennan said. “That’s who he is, he’s a superstar. I’m really happy that I could kind of do my bit to get him the victory that he deserves in this race.”

Van Aert’s victory sees him extend his lead in the points classification to 65 points over Brennan, with XDS-Astana’s Alessandro Romele some 128 points back in third. Two years after crashing out of the Vuelta while leading the points classification, Van Aert is well on course to carry the green jersey to Granada.