'Blown away' - Lefevere questions Uijtdebroeks Movistar switch

Cian Uijtdebroeks made headlines this week with his unexpected switch to Movistar despite being under contract with Visma | Lease a Bike until 2027. Lefevere questioned both the move and the rider's career trajectory, with this being the second contract break of his career after departing BORA-Hansgrohe in 2023.

"At 22, Uijtdebroeks has already broken his contract twice," said Lefevere in Het Nieuwsblad. "I'd love to hear his agent, Alex Carera, say that everything was amicable, but that doesn't exactly demonstrate much patience or perseverance." Carera has stated it was “purely for sporting reasons.”

The outspoken Lefevere revealed his own pursuit of Uijtdebroeks as a junior, recalling impressive training camp performances, noting his competitive nature against the professionals even at a young age.

"Cian joined us on a training camp as a junior, and he pulled away from riders like Bob Jungels on the climbs. I deliberately didn't put him in the same training group as Remco, because the two would have been fighting each other until someone fainted."

Lefevere also admitted that he had expected more from the 22-year-old at this stage of his career, considering his potential and reputation, having been dubbed by many as “the next Evenepoel” after winning the Tour de l’Avenir in 2022, and he drew unflattering comparisons between the two.

"Today, there's no comparison. Remco was world champion at 22 and had won 37 races. With respect to his talent, Uijtdebroeks has only won two," he stated. "He had a good autumn, but he finished fifth in the Tour of Slovakia and second in the Czech Tour behind our Junior Lecerf."

"Honestly, I thought Uijtdebroeks would be further along at this point in his career," Lefevere wrote. "He undoubtedly remains a great talent, but he hasn't lived up to the reputation he gained when he joined the pros."

Lefevere also questioned Uijtdebroeks' decision to sign a long-term deal with Movistar, suggesting it contradicts the self-belief of a rising star.

"Uijtdebroeks is signing a four-year contract with Movistar. While I think: if you really believe in yourself, you don't want to be tied down for so long, do you? You assume your stock will be higher in the next year or two, right?"

He compared the situation to when he tried to sign Paul Seixas, a deal which never came to fruition due to financial and contractual circumstances.

“At Quick-Step, we talked to the top French talent Paul Seixas. He visited us in Wevelgem and was also very keen on a transfer to our team. But in the end, that fell through because Decathlon stepped up their financial game and because we couldn't offer a long-term contract,” said Lefevere.

Despite his criticisms, Lefevere acknowledged that the potential hasn’t vanished overnight and has willed the 22-year-old to prove him wrong when it comes to Grand Tour success.

"I don't see him as a rider who can ever win a Grand Tour, but at the same time, I'll be very pleased if he proves otherwise in the colours of Movistar," concluded Lefevere. 

For Uijtdebroeks, the move to Movistar presents an opportunity to bounce back after a tough spell at Visma | Lease a Bike, which was plagued in the early stages by injuries. The Belgian has shown promising signs over recent months after a change in saddle position, and will be looking to kick on as he settles into the Spanish team, with more leadership opportunities likely available then at the Dutch team, if he can take them when presented.