Cian Uijtdebroeks stoked to move up to 7th overall: "I'm living my dream"

Cian Uijtdebroeks has been riding on cloud nine for the time being at this Vuelta. The only 20-year-old Belgian from BORA-hansgrohe is on his first Grand Tour ever and surprises himself time and time again. On his very first encounter with the very steep Alto de l'Angliru, he finished seventh.

"It is very steep and I thought a few times: How much longer? Because there were a lot of steep parts," says Uijtdebroeks in an interview with Sporza. "A few times I really had to apply pure force with a little resistance, then I felt it a bit. But it's fantastic that I can come up with those guys."

Because Uijtdebroeks ultimately lost 'only' 1.20 minutes to stage winner Primož Roglic. Joao Almeida crossed the line just in front of the Belgian and Juan Ayuso and Enric Mas finished behind him. "Say fantastic!" he says, beaming. "I'm living my dream."

Uijtdebroeks has also made a leap in the general classification. After seventeen stages he is seventh at 6.43 minutes behind red jersey Sepp Kuss.