"We have to get that saddle soreness under control" - Cian Uijtdebroek carrying great form but continues to worry about saddle sore

Cian Uijtdebroeks started developing a saddle sore in the first week of the Vuelta a Espana. This has caused him a few issues, but as his form improves he continues to perform in the mountains.

“On the first descent of the day the road surface was certainly not perfect and then it obviously hurts even more because you go up and down on the bike. That was quite painful," Uijtdebroeks shared with Het Nieuwsblad. The time-trial proved the most problematic effort for the Belgian who is on his Grand Tour debut, but uphill he has been able to keep it under control.

At the Col du Tourmalet, one of the toughest Grand Tour stages of the year, he performed incredibly and finished alongside several of the strongest climbers in the world. After a bad set of days he returned to the Top10 and sits ninth in the overall classification. Stage 14 proved another challenge: “In the last descent, the pain in the buttocks went a little better because the road surface was better,” said Uijtdebroeks, who managed to distinguish himself again uphill.

He finished with the GC group once again, defending his place in the overall classification, and possibly preparing for an assault on the final week where he can gain a few more positions. “The legs were really great and felt smooth, even on the last climb. It was a good day, but we have to get that saddle soreness under control," he concluded.