Cian Uijtdebroeks Breaks Contract with Visma-Lease a Bike, Cites Grand Tour Ambitions as Key Factor
The Belgian cycling star Cian Uijtdebroeks revealed that a lack of clarity regarding opportunities to compete in major Grand Tours prompted his surprising move from Visma-Lease a Bike to Movistar this winter, a decision he hopes will revitalize his general classification (GC) career. The transfer, announced in October, came as a shock to the cycling world, and Uijtdebroeks recently detailed the reasoning behind it in an interview.
Uijtdebroeks, long considered a promising GC contender, achieved an impressive eighth-place finish at the 2023 Vuelta a España while riding for Bora-Hansgrohe before joining Visma-Lease a Bike. Though, he indicated that securing a spot in one of the three Grand Tours in 2026 was not guaranteed, let alone the possibility to lead a team.
“At the end of this season, when we discussed next year’s program, we first addressed my physical issues and then moved on to the sporting aspects.Visma said it would be challenging for me to race a Grand Tour in 2026. That was the turning point: our visions no longer aligned,” Uijtdebroeks stated.
This divergence in outlook prompted Uijtdebroeks and his agent,who had previously negotiated his departure from Bora,to explore choice options,ultimately leading them to Movistar. The Spanish team, he believes, offers the platform he needs to pursue his ambitions.
“Visma is a huge team, with many Grand Tour victories, but my goals didn’t align with theirs. I want to fight for the overall classification in the Grand Tours,and although they were enterprising with me,it wasn’t planned for that right now,” he said. “To be good in the GC, I need to race for three weeks. I already got a top 10 finish in the 2023 Vuelta a España, but I want more. That’s were the difference in vision arose. Movistar offered me that from the very beginning.”
While Visma currently manages the ambitions of established GC riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Matteo Jorgenson, and Simon Yates, Uijtdebroeks anticipates a leadership role and greater opportunities with Movistar. He expressed confidence in his decision, stating, “I’m convinced that the step I’m taking now is the right one. My heart is in the Grand Tours, and with Movistar I feel they trust me to achieve that goal. At Visma there are so many strong riders that the opportunities are minimal. And in my last year, between injuries and problems, I fell behind very quickly. The vision that Alex Carera [his agent] and I had regarding my development was different from the team’s.”
As a likely frontrunner for Movistar in 2026, uijtdebroeks will enjoy considerable freedom in shaping his race schedule, initially focusing on the spring classics and then targeting one Grand Tour – though the Tour de France is not currently the primary objective. “I’ll race the Classics, the Ardennes Classics, and then we’ll choose between the Giro and the Vuelta,” he explained. “The Vuelta route is incredibly tough and I really like it, but the Giro also appeals to me; it’s the first Grand Tour of the year and starting early motivates me. It will depend on the route and the time trial kilometers, because we don’t want to waste time.”
Uijtdebroeks’ two mid-contract departures in consecutive years have drawn criticism from some corners of the cycling community, particularly given his commitment to another long-term contract – extending until 2029.However, he emphasized his comfort level and alignment with the Spanish team, who had previously expressed interest in his services.
“At Bora and Visma, I experienced different cultures. now I’ve discovered that I need a professional environment, yes, but also a human one, something that makes me feel relaxed,” he said. “During the training camp, I already felt like I was part of a family. That’s why I’m sure I made the right choice. Sebastián [Unzué, team manager] and I share the same vision. The plan is perfect.”
