"He can now maintain high power output for longer" - Visma believe Cian Uijtdebroeks' nerve problem has been solved
Cycling
Team Visma | Lease a Bike signed Cian Uijtdebroeks in the beginning of the 2024 season but the Belgian rider soon began to suffer from his back and nerves in the region. For over a year he could not perform at his best, but now seems to be finally back after months of specific work on his position and recovery.
"That hard reset was necessary to begin a rehabilitation program. "Specially with a driven rider like Cian, who wants to race again quickly. Even if his recovery went more smoothly than expected, we wouldn't let him race. That prevented him from being swayed by the daily grind," Heijboer told Knack. Uijtdebroeks had barely raced since March of this year, but his return at the Clásica San Sebastián was quite promising with a Top10; and he has since won the Tour de l'Ain and finished second at the Czech Tour.
A change in bike position was executed throughout these months. "He was sitting on the bike with his back too rounded. This caused tension on the nerves in his glutes and lower back and limited his power transfer. Stefan Deckx pointed out that an overly rounded back also hinders the function of the diaphragm and lungs, which are crucial for breathing. Therefore, we had Cian sit a little shorter and more upright, which reduced the pressure on the nerves, but still allowed him to generate power."
The results seem to be showing. Although he spectacularly exploded on the final stage of the Czech Tour, he was the strongest climber on both races and was close to winning the GC in both too. "We see that in the data as well. He can now maintain high power output for longer, performs better during explosive efforts, and has more control over his body. As long as Cian takes good care of his body – with regular exercises and a good cycling position – the chance of them recurring is small."
"That's why we see every race as a test case to build up and monitor his resilience, with an eye to the following season. Letting Cian ride the Vuelta – which wasn't originally on his schedule – wasn't an option," he explains. The team has been built around Jonas Vingegaard and his ambiitons to win the race, with plenty support already behind him. Uijtdebroeks will continue to race a smaller calendar but one where he will have more opportunities for himself.
On this last weekend's race, Heijboer was quick to not put too much weight on Uijtdebroeks' pacing error. "A crucial lesson in better timing attacks and using teammates more intelligently. In a WorldTour race, such a mistake would carry more weight, with more media attention and pressure."
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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