The Visma-Lease à Bike team (new name of Jumbo-Visma) announced a real bombshell last Saturday: they acquired the services of Cian Uijtdebroeks until 2027. However, the great Belgian promise has a contract until the end of 2024 with Bora-Hansgrohe and this could deprive him of debuting with Visma next season.
The pearl with an unpronounceable name is now in the middle of a contractual dispute, since his current team denied what was announced by Visma on the same Saturday.
"Cian is and will remain a Bora-Hansgrohe rider, even during the 2024 season," the German structure quickly denied in a statement. "He is contractually bound to us until December 31, 2024."
At 20 years old, Uijtdebroeks is already considered a rider to take into account in stage races. In 2022, he won the Tour de l'Avenir, a test reserved for those under 23 years of age, and in his first participation in a grand tour as a professional he achieved eighth place in this year's Vuelta a España.
The statement announcing his arrival, Uijtdebroeks, is delighted to join the riders of the powerful Dutch team. "It's an honor to learn from guys like Jonas, Wout or Sepp," he commented.
"We have followed Cian since he was a junior," declared the sports director of the former Jumbo-Visma. "When the opportunity arose to sign him, we did not hesitate. Cian is a perfect reinforcement for our team. He seeks to develop in all areas. We are happy that he chose us and that he chose our approach."
The new Jumbo-Visma dominated the competition this year in the three grand tours, winning the Giro with Primoz Roglic, retaining the Tour de France with Vingegaard and achieving an unprecedented triplet in the Vuelta a España, where Sepp Kuss won against his two leaders.
However, after eight seasons in their ranks Primoz Roglic joined Bora-Hansgrohe. Depending on the outcome of the looming contract dispute, Uijtdebroeks will compete against or alongside the Slovenian next season. A mystery that cannot take too long to resolve.
