Why is Visma | Lease a Bike letting Cian Uijtdebroeks leave despite ongoing contract? Richard Plugge shares the "honest truth"

When he transferred from BORA-hansgrohe in 2024, Uijtdebroeks signed a four-year contract with the Dutch team. However, after two years, he is now taking a different direction. “I am now at a stage in my career where further development as a GC rider in Grand Tours has become essential,” he explained.

At Visma | Lease a Bike, that opportunity was becoming less and less likely, as was the case for Johannes Staune-Mittet, who moved to Decathlon AG2R last year. Uijtdebroeks rode the Giro on behalf of the Dutch team last year, but did not finish it. This season, partly due to injuries, he did not compete in a single Grand Tour.

CEO Richard Plugge explains why Visma | Lease a Bike is letting Uijtdebroeks go despite an ongoing contract. “Together we have had two intense years, and we were delighted that Cian achieved his first professional victory for our team this year,” he said, referring to his victories in the Ain.

“But the honest truth is that Cian's ambitions and those of the team have started to move in different directions. At this moment, we cannot offer Cian the role and race program that he considers essential for his development,” said the Dutchman. “After open and honest discussions, we have agreed to his request to take a new step in his career. We wish Cian every success in that journey.”

Uijtdebroeks is eager to seize this opportunity with his new team. "I am convinced that Movistar Team—and riders such as Enric Mas in particular—can help me grow in this field and achieve great results. The team also has a strong tradition in hilly one-day classics, and I believe this environment can help me develop into an important rider in the peloton."