"No words to describe my disappointment" - Cian Uijtdebroeks gives first reaction to heartbreaking Giro d'Italia abandon

After a brilliant first week, Team Visma | Lease a Bike's general classification hope at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Cian Uijtdebroeks, was looking good for a top-5 overall finish and the White Jersey. Sadly, ahead of stage 11, the Belgian was forced to abandon due to illness. 

"No words to describe my disappointment at the moment," reacted a heartbroken Uijtdebroeks in a post to his official Instagram account after the news was announced on Wednesday morning. "Due to sickness I need to leave the Giro d'Italia. Thanks team for the amazing support, you are all heroes to me."

Sickness has proven to be quite the issue within the peloton at the 2024 Giro d'Italia and especially within Team Visma | Lease a Bike as not only Uijtdebroeks but also his co-leader, sprint star and stage winner Olav Kooij also was forced to leave the race with illness.

Despite the disappointing end, there were plenty of positive signs for Uijtdebroeks in what is just the second Grand Tour of his career. After securing an 8th placed finish overall at the Vuelta a Espana in 2023, the 21-year-old looked well on track to improve that here, sitting 5th overall before his abandon.