Change confusion around Uijtdebroeks: Bora top talent not joining Vingegaard team after all?

Only recently Jumbo-Visma manager Richard Plugge had expressed his team's interest in Cian Uijtdebroek's Bora-Hansgrohe, and just under a week later the Dutch team announced the transfer of the 20-year-old Belgian as presumably complete on Saturday. Uijtdebroeks is said to have signed a contract until 2027. However, Bora-Hansgrohe denied the transfer on Saturday evening.

Jumbo-Visma announces Uijtdebroeks transfer as finalised

"We have been following Cian since he was a teenager," said sports director Merijn Zeeman on the Jumbo-Visma website. "When the opportunity arose to sign Cian on 1 December, we didn't hesitate. Cian fits perfectly into our team. He wants to develop in all areas. We are delighted that he has chosen us and our approach."

Cian Uijtdebroeks has also already been quoted on the Dutch team's website: "It's an honour to be coached by guys like Jonas (Vingegaard; editor's note), Wout (van Aert; editor's note) and Sepp (Kiss; editor's note) to learn. I'm looking forward to starting with Team Visma | Lease a Bike."

Bora-Hansgrohe disagrees

A little later, however, Bora-Hansgrohe contradicted this in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). "Statement on today's news from Jumbo - Visma regarding our rider Cian Uijtdebroeks. Cian is and remains a member of BORA - hansgrohe, also in the coming 2024 season. He is contractually bound to us until 31 December 2024."

Cian Uijtdebroeks shares statement via Instagram

Uijtdebroeks himself posted a statement from his management agency A&J All Sports on his Instagram story on Saturday evening. It reads: "The contract between Cian Uijtdebroeks and Bora-Hansgrohe has been terminated as of 1 December 2023. Cian has already taken legal action and the UCI (the Cycling World Federation; editor's note) has been informed of the termination of the agreement. Cian is confident about the outcome of the pending case and will refrain from further comment at this time. Cian is of course looking forward to working with Team Visma | Lease a Bike from next season."

Cian Uijtdebroeks convinces at Bora-Hansgrohe

Uijtdebroeks is considered one of the biggest talents in professional cycling. In 2021, he joined Team Auto Eder, the junior team of Bora-Hansgrohe, and in 2022 he was brought to Bora-Hansgrohe. That year, the Belgian won the Tour de l'Avenir, the most important tour for young riders. And he also impressed in 2023. The youngster finished eighth in the Vuelta a Espana, his first Grand Tour.

>> Overview of the most important cycling transfers

>> Cian Uijtdebroeks in the TOUR portrait

However, there has been some unrest surrounding Uijtdebroeks recently. The young Belgian harshly criticised the material after the Chrono des Nations in October and gave the impression of wanting to provoke a premature departure. Whether this will now happen remains to be seen.

Note: This article was amended in some places following the publication of the Bora-Hansgrohe statement