Visma positive despite Cian Uijtdebroeks suffering another setback: “In the long run it will pay off"
Cycling
Cian Uijtdebroeks' 2025 season has taken another blow, with
Team Visma | Lease a Bike confirming that the 22-year-old Belgian talent will
remain sidelined indefinitely due to persistent physical issues. The promising
climber, who has not raced since mid-April, continues to suffer from a
mysterious injury that causes recurring numbness in his legs, a condition that
has now ruled him out of the Tour de Suisse and likely any Grand Tour
participation this season.
“Last year Cian rode well, until he started having back
problems,” team manager Richard Plugge told Het Laatste Nieuws. “This
year he also struggled with a physical discomfort and he asked us to take a few
weeks of rest, to completely reset. I think that’s fine, because in the long
run it will pay off.”
The nature of Uijtdebroeks’ condition remains elusive but
increasingly concerning. After a breakthrough 2023 that saw him finish eighth
in the Vuelta a España, expectations were high for his continued rise. But 2024
has delivered only setbacks: a DNF at both the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a
España, followed by a prolonged absence and now confirmation that he will not
feature in Switzerland or the Tour de France.
Plugge emphasised the importance of long-term development
over short-term pressure, “We have to keep building with him. Some youngsters
fly from the start, like Matthews Brennan. Others take longer to get to their
level.”
Indeed, while Uijtdebroeks won the Tour de l’Avenir in 2022
and was tipped as one of the next generation’s elite climbers, his progress has
stalled through no fault of his own. The Belgian has shown glimpses of his
potential, but with the team choosing caution and recovery over racing, his
comeback will have to wait.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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