Cian Uijtdebroeks has torn up his contract with Visma | Lease a Bike. The 22-year-old Belgian will move to Movistar after the current season. The Spanish team has just announced the transfer of the promising stage race talent in a press release. Uijtdebroeks signs for four years, until the end of the 2029 season.
The Belgian still had a running contract with the Dutch team until the end of 2027. The Spanish team—whose main sponsor Telefónica has been owned by Saudi investors since this year—therefore has to buy out two years of Uijtdebroeks’ contract from Visma | Lease a Bike. Whether an additional transfer fee was paid has not been disclosed. This marks the second turbulent transfer for the Belgian, who at the end of 2023 also broke his contract with BORA-hansgrohe to join Visma | Lease a Bike.
Sportingly, things did not always go smoothly there, partly due to persistent back problems. Those issues seem to have disappeared this autumn. After four months without racing, Uijtdebroeks returned at the Clásica San Sebastián, immediately finishing ninth. This was followed by a stage and overall victory at the Tour de l'Ain, second place in the Tour of Czechia, and fifth place in the Tour of Slovakia. He also impressed at the World Championships in Rwanda. In Kigali, he was the best Belgian after Remco Evenepoel, finishing 26th.
Movistar and Uijtdebroeks on cloud nine
Movistar team manager Eusebio Unzué is ecstatic about the arrival of what he considers one of the greatest talents in the peloton. “It is a privilege to support young riders with the ambition and talent of Cian, who has a remarkable ability to inspire. Not only because of what he can still achieve, but also because of all he has already shown. He brings with him a rich history, and we feel fortunate that he has chosen us as the ideal team to further develop his promising professional career.”
Uijtdebroeks himself is also looking forward to his Spanish adventure, one of the best-kept secrets of this transfer window. “Movistar has a proud history in Grand Tours and WorldTour classics. It is a team where the human aspect truly matters, operating with the spirit of a family. I am really looking forward to being part of the Movistar family. Since I live in Andorra and often train on Spanish roads, it will be an honor to defend the colors of the most iconic Spanish cycling team. Riders such as Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana, and Enric Mas have achieved incredible successes here, and I hope to contribute and play my role in the team's future victories.”
Difference in vision
The Belgian emphasizes that he is at a stage in his career where his development in Grand Tours is crucial. With the help of Enric Mas and the knowledge they have in hill classics, Uijtdebroeks aims to grow into a top rider in the peloton. “Visma | Lease a Bike is, and remains, one of the biggest teams in the world with a very specific approach to cycling,” he says. “Over the past two years, I have learned a lot about training methods, nutrition, and many other aspects of professional cycling. However, I now feel it is time to open new horizons in my development and take on new challenges.”
Notably, Visma | Lease a Bike’s team manager Richard Plugge also responded in the Spanish team’s press release. “Together we shared two intense years, and we were delighted to see Cian achieve his first professional win for our team this year. But the honest truth is that Cian’s ambitions and those of the team have moved in different directions. At this moment, we cannot offer Cian the role and race schedule he considers essential for his development. After open and honest conversations, we agreed to his request to take the next step in his career. We wish Cian every success on that journey.”
