"I'm aiming for a top ten" - Cian Uijtdebroeks looking to lose weight and test new TT setup ahead of Tour de France debut

Cian Uijtdebroeks was Movistar Team's great signing this winter, and perhaps one of the most surprising deals of the entire transfer season. Now in a completely new environment and learning a new language, the Belgian is finding himself in a team where he is a greater priority and is enjoying his position.

“Movistar isn't a well-known team in Belgium, but I'm really happy here at the moment,” Uijtdebroeks said in words to Het Laatste Nieuws. At Movistar's presentation in Valencia on the 11th of December the 22-year old looked at times like a fish out of water, however he has explained thoroughly his decision to join the Spanish team - fruit of plenty contacts he's had in the past as well.

At Team Visma | Lease a Bike he had the potential and also the focus from the team when he joined back in 2024, but an injury took him down the team's hierarchy significantly and the lack of freedom he would have in the Grand Tours proved to be decisive towards a mutual contract termination.

In Movistar, he is again a leader, and over the winter there has already been a lot of work in improving his time trial: "I've already lost three minutes to Remco, but now it shouldn't be more than a minute. I have a new bike position and personalized handlebars. I feel at home in training."

Uijtdebroeks is making his debut for the team this Wednesday at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, and will follow that up with Paris-Nice and Itzulia Basque Country this spring - before also putting on his number at the Belgian Ardennes classics.

“I can definitely lose another three kilos. We didn't want to go too fast. This race is very punchy and not a main goal for me," he says of Valenciana. His first real goal this spring will only come in the space of a month.

"I can lose a bit more for Paris-Nice, and especially for the Tour of the Basque Country, which is my first goal and important for our team. This will be a test leading up to the Tour, where I'm aiming for a top ten finish," he admits. He will have the leadership at the Tour, in what will be his debut at the Grand Boucle.

After there was an internal decision to leave Visma last summer, Uijtdebroeks had contacts with other teams. He was asked about Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, his previous team, which he complements but admits at the same time that it wouldn't be an ideal destination.

"You can't compare today's Red Bull to Bora in 2023. That team is more Visma-esque now. I need a more relaxed team, where I can create a professional environment for myself and get my chances,” he explained.

“Of course, things will still go wrong. That happened with Primoz Roglic when he moved to Bora. That's not a problem; what matters is that I'm in a different position here than last year.”