Cian Uijtdebroeks surprised he can ride with the best climbers in the world: "I want to fight for the top 10"

For 20-year-old Cian Uijtdebroeks, the Vuelta a Espana is one big voyage of discovery. But in the stage with finish on the mighty Tourmalet he himself was the discovery of the day, at least for those who only follow cycling from a distance.

"I knew that this stage had to suit me on paper. My punch is not that good, so I don't like those punchy stages. But now it was a lot of climbing. Everyone has to endure a whole day. On the last climb I didn't think about anything anymore. I just tried to follow as long as possible," the Belgian said after the stage.

When Jonas Vingegaard launched his decisive attack, Uijtdebroeks tried to follow. "But that wasn't an option in the end. I felt like I had blown myself up."

"During the Tour I saw a lot of those guys at work on TV. When I heard who would be riding this Vuelta, I thought: 'oops, is a classification still possible?' Now I want to fight for the top 10. Although I may still make a lot of mistakes. After all, it is my first grand tour."