Uijtdebroeks‘ Intense Cycling Focus May Hinder Progress,Says Former Pro
Belgian cyclingโฃ analyst Jose de Cauwer believes Cian Uijtdebroeks’ all-consuming dedication to the sport could be detrimental to hisโค career,despite โฃhis recent transfer to Movistar for the 2026 season.De Cauwer, speaking recently, suggested the young rider’sโ intensity surpasses even his own past obsession with cycling.
De Cauwer stated,”The way he approaches โcycling – it goes too far. I thought I was obsessed with cycling, but he’s ten timesโค worse.” He argues this level of immersionโ risks impeding Uijtdebroeks’ โprogress,particularly after experiencing frustration with his previous team.A change of scenery, he believes, is now necessary.
The move to Movistar, described by De Cauwer as “not a standard transfer,” offers Uijtdebroeks freedom, though improvementโข isn’t guaranteed. “At that team, I’ve seen vrey fewโข riders actually improve,”โ he noted.Though,โ he posits the transfer aligns withโ a โคpatternโค in Uijtdebroeks’โค career โฃ- a potential break from โa cycle โคof “banging his head against the wall”โ after internal struggles and โคstalled progress.
De Cauwer โalso cautioned against immediate Grand Tour ambitions, advising Uijtdebroeks to prioritize winning races before pursuing General Classification contention. “Let โhim start at the start. Lots โฃofโ young ridersโฃ are hungry for โthe big races, but you have to try winning races first. The positive thing is that he’ll get the chance at Movistar to do his own thing.”
Ultimately, Deโ Cauwer believes Uijtdebroeks’ success hinges on his โability to moderate the intense pressure he places on himself.
