British teenager Brennan wins Romandie opening stage
Matthew Brennan also won the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya in March
- Published
British teenager Matthew Brennan edged to a sprint victory on the opening stage of the Tour de Romandie.
The 19-year-old, riding for Visma-Lease a Bike, claimed the yellow jersey in Fribourg on Wednesday with his fourth professional win.
Brennan has previously won the Grand Prix de Denain and two stages of the Volta a Catalunya.
Britain's Samuel Watson, of Ineos Grenadiers, could not emulate his success from victory in Tuesday's prologue despite the efforts of team-mate and former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas.
Belgian favourite Remco Evenepoel finished ninth, trailing Brennan by seven seconds.
Despite the warm April conditions, Brennan produced an impressive ride to edge clear from the peloton in the longest stage of the race - a 194.4km route, including four categorised climbs.
Thursday's second stage consists of a 157km loop in La Grande Beroche.
Tour of Romandie - stage one
Matthew Brennan (GB/Visma-Lease a Bike) 4hrs 42mins 32secs
Aurelien Paret-Peintre (Fra/Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale) Same time
Artem Shmidt (USA/Ineos Grenadiers) Same time
Huub Artz (Ned/Intermarche-Wanty) Same time
Clement Venturini (Fra/Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale) Same time