“A race like that doesn’t make sense if you’re not 100 percent” - Cian Uijtdebroeks back racing on his own terms after disrupted start to 2026 season

Cian Uijtdebroeks returns to the start line at Milano-Torino after a disrupted opening to his 2026 season, but the Belgian is not measuring his comeback in results.

Instead, his focus is on timing, condition, and a deliberate decision not to rush the process after injury. “It’s been a few weeks of recovery,” Uijtdebroeks said pre-race to Cycling Pro Net. “I had a bit of time off the bike, then started again on the rollers. After some time, I was able to train properly again, but it took a while.”

Uijtdebroeks’ early season was interrupted by a crash at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, forcing a pause just as his campaign with Movistar Team was getting underway.

The immediate consequence was a rethink of his race schedule, including the decision to skip Paris-Nice rather than return before he was ready. “Paris-Nice came too early,” he explained. “A race like that doesn’t make sense if you’re not 100 percent.”

That call underlines the central theme of his comeback. Rather than chasing early form or forcing a return to competition, Uijtdebroeks has prioritised recovery and gradual progression.

Milano-Torino now marks his return to racing, but the approach remains measured. The race itself, often decided on the steep Superga climb, typically rewards riders already close to peak condition.

Uijtdebroeks, however, is clear about his objectives. “It’s more about getting the race rhythm back,” he said. “After this, I have Volta a Catalunya, so there are some big races coming up.”

There is no attempt to mask expectations or suggest immediate competitiveness. Instead, the emphasis is on rebuilding through racing rather than arriving fully formed. “We’ll see where we are today.”

In a period of the season where many riders are already racing aggressively and targeting results, Uijtdebroeks’ approach stands out for its restraint.

His return is not framed around what he can achieve immediately, but around ensuring that when he does target results, he is in the condition to do so. That distinction shapes everything from his race selection to his expectations on the road.

For now, Milano-Torino is not the destination, but a step in the process.

Uijtdebroeks’ decision to skip Paris-Nice marks a notable point of maturity in his young career. In an era where riders are often pressured to return early to secure UCI points, his '100 percent or nothing' mantra suggests a rider who is thinking about his 2026 Grand Tour peaks rather than early-season survival. By choosing the shorter, punchier Milano-Torino to find his 'racing legs,' he is prioritizing high-intensity efforts over the grueling eight-day fatigue of Paris-Nice—a move that likely indicates his sights are set firmly on a top-5 finish at the upcoming Volta a Catalunya.