In probably the transfer story of the year,
Cian Uijtdebroeks proposed deal with Team Visma | Lease a Bike has sent the cycling world into a frenzy.
The commotion started by Visma announcing the young Belgian's signing last Saturday. Quickly though, this announcement was quickly countered by
BORA - hansgrohe denying the legality of the deal and insisting Uijtdebroeks is still their rider. Since, more details have come out but in truth, little has actually been cleared up. In fact, there is arguably more confusion.
Nevertheless, Uijtdebroeks has recently been seen training alongside Team Visma | Lease a Bike. “I find it surprising that he is already leaving,” says Eurosport analyst Jeroen Vanbelleghem on the Kop over Kop podcast. “Okay, it was messed up. He criticized his own team. But he still had a year left on his contract and at that age I would have thought they would work it out together. The more the news came out that he was not completely satisfied with the way the team was doing and when other teams started showing interest, you felt like something was wrong.”
“He is someone who knows what he wants, a leader type too. And how many super talents do they have at Visma when it comes to Grand Tours? You have Vingegaard at number one, but then I don't actually see anyone who can knock Uijtdebroeks out of second place at the moment," continues Vanbelleghem, positive about Uijtdebroeks chances if the deal goes through. "He will certainly get many opportunities, I think even in the Giro d'Italia. I do hope that he remains patient and does not rush into winning everything.”
