Cian Uijtdebroeks takes motivation from Romandie queen stage - "I think this was my best performance so far"

Cian Uijtdebroeks is developing into a prolific stage-racer, and at the Tour de Romandie he's struck once again. The Belgian is yet to race for the win within the elites, but his consistency continues to bring profits as he rode a strong queen stage and sits comfortably inside the Top10 into the final day of racing.

“It was a great day for us and a strong race from the whole team. We really wanted to show that we belong here to the best riders, and we raced aggressive from the beginning. Ben [Zwiehoff] was in front the whole day and Bob [Jungels] did a brilliant job in the finale," Uijtdebroeks said in an issued press release. "He helps me to position before the crucial parts and I feel very comfortable on his wheel. In the end it was an epic battle man against man. I struggled with the attacks but was always able to come back riding my own rhythm."

Uijtdebroeks, like Max Poole who finished close to him, just turned 20 but has already been a pro since last season. BORA - hansgrohe are developing one of their brightest talents - who dominated the Tour de l'Avenir last year and has already finished ninth in both Tour of Oman and Volta a Catalunya this year. Last year he also showed himself well in the mountainous races. He kept up with the likes of Matteo Jorgenson and Damiano Caruso in the queen stage, racing to sixth as he was only dropped in the very last meters of the stage.

"Yates was the strongest and he deserves the win. But I am supper happy with my performance. It is a special feeling to fight with all those big names for the win. I think this was my best performance so far, even better than in Catalunya," he concluded. The Belgian is now sixth in the overall classification, likely his most successful result at elite level. He will be aiming for the Vuelta a Espana later in the year as a test but in the meantime he continues to bring in strong results in the absence of other leaders.