“There are still plenty of chances and opportunities coming up for the team” - Cian Uijtdebroeks remains optimistic after difficult stage for Visma | Lease a Bike at the Volta a Catalunya

It was an attritional day for the riders on stage 2 of the Volta a Catalunya, as UAE Team Emirates set the pace throughout the day in the cold and wet conditions. Visma | Lease a Bike suffered a considerable blow to their GC ambitions on the stage, as Sepp Kuss was dropped early under the pace of João Almeida on the mountaintop finish to Vallter 2000.

In an interview with his team after the stage, Kuss said “it was a tough day and you definitely feel that in your legs. I don't think anyone was very fresh at the end. It was maybe not our best day, but there is still a lot to come. Above all, we have to look forward, if you ask me”.

His young teammate Cian Uijtdebroeks also struggled on the climb, as both riders finished over two minutes down on the stage winner and new overall leader Tadej Pogačar, as Uijtdebroeks said “thanks in part to the team, we were able to start at the front of the final climb. When Pogacar attacked I had to pass, but in a group behind I was able to keep up. However, I got colder and colder and everything cramped up in the last kilometres. I couldn't put much power and then it was a matter of dragging to the top”.

However, the Belgian rider remains optimistic ahead of stage 3 to Port Ainé, as he said “I hope to find those good legs again. There are still plenty of chances and opportunities coming up for the team”.