"I don’t see Cian Uijtdebroeks capable of winning a Grand Tour" – Patrick Lefevere doesn't believe Movistar move will do anything to change trajectory of Belgian's career
Cycling
Few in the cycling world were more surprised than Patrick Lefevere when news broke earlier this week that Cian Uijtdebroeks is walking away from Team Visma | Lease a Bike to join Movistar on a long-term deal through to 2029. Yet the iconic Belgian manager’s reaction wasn’t just one of astonishment – it came laced with scepticism about whether the 22-year-old’s bold career move will ever bring him closer to Grand Tour glory.
Writing in his weekly column for Het Nieuwsblad, the now retired, former Soudal - Quick-Step boss admitted that even in a sport built on rumour, the transfer had blindsided him completely. But after the initial surprise, Lefevere didn’t mince his words about what he sees as Uijtdebroeks’ limitations.
“With this transfer, Cian is taking a big gamble,” Lefevere wrote. “But for me, I don’t see him as a rider capable of winning a Grand Tour. Of course, chacun son choix – everyone makes their own decisions. It would genuinely please me if he proves me wrong, but I don’t believe this move will change the trajectory of his career.”
The comments reflect a wider theme in Lefevere’s view of modern cycling talent: raw potential alone isn’t enough to warrant leadership roles or long-term contracts. In his eyes, Uijtdebroeks – despite his promise and professionalism – hasn’t yet justified the hype that once saw him viewed on a level with Remco Evenepoel.
“No comparison anymore”
Lefevere has followed Uijtdebroeks’ rise closely, having once tried to recruit him as a junior. He recalls being impressed by the young Belgian’s family and character, but not convinced that the results since have matched early expectations.
“Remco was world champion at 22 and already had 37 victories,” he noted pointedly. “With all due respect to Cian’s talent, his total stands at two. Finishing fifth at the Tour of Slovakia and second at the Czech Tour are fine results – but not the credentials that justify claiming Grand Tour leadership.”
The comparison to Remco Evenepoel, whom Lefevere helped nurture into one of the sport’s biggest stars, feels deliberate. Both riders were born in the same generation, both hailed as future Grand Tour contenders. But for Lefevere, the gulf between potential and proven performance remains vast.
A move that raises eyebrows
Lefevere also questioned the wisdom of Uijtdebroeks’ decision to break his contract with Visma mid-term – the second such mid-season transfer of his short career. For a rider still defining his identity at World Tour level, the Belgian sees risk more than reward.
“He presents himself as the clean-cut, cheerful young man – and his entourage are all serious, proper people,” Lefevere wrote. “That’s why such a sudden move surprises me. It’s not really his style.”
While Movistar have positioned Uijtdebroeks as a potential long-term leader for stage races, Lefevere’s assessment is less optimistic. For him, the Belgian remains a promising rider – but not one destined to win a Grand Tour. And yet, as the seasoned manager himself admits, he would take no small satisfaction in being proved wrong. “It would make me happy,” he concluded, “if he shows me otherwise in Movistar colours.”
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- 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
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