"They tell you it’s safe to start and there are no associated risks, then you simply start" - Cian Uijtdebroeks opens up on his Tour de France illness
CyclingSunday, 23 August 2026 at 14:30
Cian Uijtdebroeks lines up at the Vuelta a España after a difficult summer, marked by the illness that ultimately forced him to abandon the Tour de France. The Belgian from Movistar Team has now explained how he experienced those weeks and, above all, why he started in France despite being unwell.
In comments to HLN, Uijtdebroeks says he always trusted the medical staff’s judgment and that his main concern was avoiding any long-term heart risk.
“I have always had complete confidence in the team’s medical staff. Of course I didn’t want to take any risks with my heart looking to the future. I was very clear with the team about that,” the rider explains. He says the doctors examined his heart to rule out any inflammation and kept the situation under constant observation. “That, of course, is something the outside world doesn’t see.”
The Belgian also stressed that the decision to race the Tour was not taken lightly. “If you’re sick at home, obviously you don’t go out training. But you’re at the Tour, you know? If the medical team checks everything with scans and whatever is needed, and they tell you it’s safe to start and there are no associated risks, then you simply start.”
Uijtdebroeks on working with medical team
Uijtdebroeks does add an important caveat. Medical clearance to compete referred to the absence of a cardiac risk, not that his overall condition was good. “Careful, I’m only talking about the heart. I’m not saying it was healthy for the body. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it,” he admits.
The situation worsened during the stage to Les Angles. He recalls being “really sick,” although he only conceded 40 seconds that day. That result led the team to think he could still ride through it. “The team thought: ‘If in this state he only loses that time, he’ll get over it.’ But well, that didn’t happen,” he says. Stomach issues proved decisive: “If you have stomach problems like I did, you can’t eat or drink, recovering is difficult.”
The illness did not vanish immediately after he pulled out. “I was really sick for another week,” says Uijtdebroeks. Only then could he start training again, and he had to do it gradually. “It’s not like you can push straight away. We had to take it very easy.”
Cian Uijtdebroeks, Movistar Team star
Plans changed by Cian due to illness
That process also completely altered his plans for the post-Tour calendar. “Initially, the plan was to race San Sebastián and Burgos, but all that came too soon because the illness lasted longer than we had expected,” he explains.
Now, at the Vuelta a España, Uijtdebroeks’ goal is also to regain good sensations and enjoy racing after a mentally demanding period. The Belgian admits that preparing for the Tour took a toll: “It’s been a very long period of focus towards the Tour and mentally it already cost me a lot.” That is why he approaches this race with a different mindset: “Now I just want to race with an open mind. Have fun.”
After a summer defined by illness, abandoning the Tour, and a longer-than-expected recovery, Uijtdebroeks arrives at the Vuelta aiming to enjoy the bike again. Rather than carrying expectations, the Belgian wants to progressively rebuild his level and seize the opportunities the team offers him.
Juan LarraCycling Journalist
Juan Larra is a writer for Cyclinguptodate and editor-in-chief of Ciclismoaldia, where he has played a central role since its inception. Under his leadership, the website has become a trusted source for professional cycling coverage, offering in-depth analysis, news, and feature stories.
A sports journalist with over 20 years of experience, Juan earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Seville in 2007. He began his career covering a wide range of sports—including football, basketball, Formula 1, MotoGP, tennis, and cycling—for platforms such as the official La Liga app, Vodafone and Movistar websites, NBA Blogdebasket, and Cadena Cope, honing his skills in writing and editorial management.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Juan contributes to Cyclinguptodate and serves as editor-in-chief for the tennis-focused site Tenisaldia. Throughout his career, he has conducted exclusive interviews with cyclists and sports figures, provided detailed analysis of competitions ranging from local Spanish races to major international events, and acted as a special correspondent at prestigious races including Paris-Roubaix, the Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
Juan’s combination of experience, expertise, and direct access to athletes has established him—and the platforms he leads—as authoritative voices in professional cycling.
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