Vuelta 2024: Visma | Bike hire signals division of roles at Vuelta with free role for Uijtdebroeks

“Cian could have gone really far at that time,” sports director Grischa Niermann reflects on his group’s Giro retirement. “He could normally have competed until the end for the top five.” For Uijtdebroeks, the switch quickly turned to the next big goal: the Vuelta. “Cian is very motivated and will ride a good Vuelta,” Niermann predicts. “But he’s still young and we can’t push him too hard.”

Uijtdebroeks’ preparation for the Vuelta began with a three-week altitude training camp in Tignes. In the Tour of Burgos, he wanted to continue working on his form, but things seemed to go wrong for a while on stage 2. “Cian, like Sepp Kuss, was involved in the big crash. He certainly suffered his injuries, but not to the extent that he suddenly became a question mark for the Vuelta.

A few days after his fall, Uijtdebroeks shone again on the final climb with a good attack. “This confirms that he is on schedule in his preparations for the Vuelta.” This confirmation helped the Belgian to get a free role in the next Vuelta.

At the Vuelta, Uijtdebroeks doesn’t have to completely ignore Sepp Kuss on paper. “Cian gets a free role,” reveals Niermann. “We hope to be in the top ten with him. He already proved he can handle that last year with eighth place.” Although Uijtdebroeks’ role could change during the Vuelta. “If Sepp (Kuss) suddenly finds himself at the front, Cian could play a supporting role.”