“I was just missing a bit of punch” - Cian Uijtdebroeks makes aggressive return to racing at Milano-Torino

Cian Uijtdebroeks returned to racing with an aggressive ride at Milano-Torino, placing himself firmly among the key contenders on Superga before ultimately falling just short in the decisive moments.

The Movistar rider, coming back after a disrupted start to his 2026 season, was active throughout the final phase of the race, repeatedly going on the offensive on the climb as the favourites group formed and split under pressure.

In a finale shaped by constant accelerations from riders such as Tom Pidcock and Primoz Roglic, Uijtdebroeks was among those who refused to wait, launching moves in an effort to avoid a late sprint on the steep slopes.

After the finish, he reflected in conversation with Cycling Pro Net on both the positives and the limitations of his return. “I’m happy. For sure, the first race back is always about getting used to everything again, especially the positioning and the stress in the bunch.”

Despite the time away from competition, Uijtdebroeks underlined that his team had executed their plan effectively in the run-in to the decisive climb.

“We entered the climb in a perfect position. We might not have had a team of big, heavy guys, but with our climbing strength, the guys did an amazing job to put me where I needed to be.”

That positioning proved crucial as the race intensified on the first ascent, where he was able to follow the early moves and establish himself among the strongest riders still in contention. “On the first climb, I felt really good, but on the flat section I pushed myself a bit too much, and I paid for that on the final climb. Still, overall it was good.”

True to his pre-race approach of using the race to test himself rather than simply following wheels, Uijtdebroeks chose to race aggressively in the finale.

As the leading group reduced to a select handful of riders inside the final kilometres, he launched attacks in an attempt to force a selection before the line. “I tried to make a move near the end because I knew the sprint would be difficult for me.”

However, against rivals with sharper finishing speed after a full race effort, the final acceleration proved just out of reach. “In the end, I was just missing a bit of punch, but that should come back with these efforts.”

While the result itself may not tell the full story, the manner of Uijtdebroeks’ performance offered a clear indication of where he stands after his early-season setback.

Pre-race, the Belgian had made it clear that this outing was about reintroducing himself to racing intensity, and his actions on Superga reflected that mindset. Rather than riding conservatively, he repeatedly put himself into the race at key moments.

On a climb where the race was ultimately decided by timing and explosiveness, Uijtdebroeks showed he could match the pace for much of the decisive phase, even if the final edge was not yet there.

With further racing to come and intensity returning to his legs, Milano-Torino served as both a test and a statement: he is back racing, and already willing to take the initiative.