"This is a completely different story than the previous transfer" - Cian Uijtdebroeks agent Alex Carera explains how Movistar move happened

Cian Uijtdebroeks' transfer to Movistar Team came has shocked the cycling world this Friday morning, a move that seemingly came out of nowhere outside of the pro peloton. However it is one that was agreed on by both Movistar and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, and desired by the Belgian who is seeking more opportunities to be a team leader.

"It's purely for sporting reasons. We discussed with the management of Visma | Lease a Bike how many champions they have on their team. Cian wants to ride major stage races with a key role, and in that team with all those leaders, it's not easy," Carera said in words to Sporza. "If you want to grow every year, you have to be given the opportunity to aim for a GC position."

At age 22, the Belgian has already had a very eventful career, but the truth is that Movistar might have snatched one of the best possible riders they could taking into consideration the team's budget when comparing to rival teams. The Spanish team has lost the leverage it had about a decade ago where winning Grand Tours and monuments was rather frequent, but has taken the gamble on the Belgian.

Uijtdebroeks was very highly rated as a junior and under-23 rider, and his pro debut with Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe in 2022 was met with a win at the Tour de l'Avenir, whilst at age 20 in 2023 he rode to many Top10's including his debut Grand Tour at the Vuelta España.

Then in the winter of 2023-2024, he forced his exit from the German team to join Visma. But his arrival was met with back and nerve issues that derailed his performances for over a year, including his sole Grand Tour in 2024 where he was battling for a top spot at the Giro d'Italia.

"Yes, but this is a completely different story than the previous transfer. It's not important how many times you change teams, but whether you end up in the right place," Carera argues. "We, Cian and his family, are sure that the atmosphere in his new team, the project, and the opportunities are good for him."

He seems to have regained his level and had a spectacular pro win debut with a long solo attack at the Tour de l'Ain, together with the overall classification, but in a Visma that has several leaders and upcoming youngsters, it is unanimously agreed that he doesn't have the position he hopes for in the team.

So the decision was made to look for a new team, despite holding a valid contract until 2027. "Two weeks before the World Championships, we decided together to look for a new team, and I found one. No, the negotiations weren't difficult. The three parties agreed. Movistar believes Cian is one of the greatest talents, and Visma | Lease a Bike understands our position. An agreement was reached in a clean manner."

The Tour de France isn't a goal in 2026, but will be in the future. But in the meantime, in both stage-races and Grand Tours, he will be having freedom to be a leader once again, now in a new environment.

"Next season, he has to grow like he does every year. Cian works hard, has a lot of passion, and is a great talent. We have to try too, before you can try to achieve a good classification, you also have to learn to lose. But if you can't participate, that's difficult. That's why we—once again—found the best solution together."

And Movistar was also an attractive option for the duo, taking into consideration their history. "They've won Grand Tours in the past, their staff is very experienced, and currently, apart from Enric Mas, they don't have any major leaders. And there are three Grand Tours a year. So they have a chance of a bigger role."

Asked about, the agent who also manages Tadej Pogacar was ambiguous: "That's not important now. It's important that Cian is happy. Money isn't the priority. If your results are good, the money will follow. Cian also lives in Spain, speaks a little Spanish, and will easily integrate into this team," he concluded.