Uijtdebroeks next rider to reveal his threshold power as Tour confidence grows

The disclosure comes shortly after Remco Evenepoel referenced a 425 watt threshold during a controlled training session at altitude on Mount Teide. With leading riders usually keeping such numbers private, two Belgian Tour contenders have now revealed remarkably similar figures within the space of a few days.

Uijtdebroeks shared the number after a demanding final climb, where he was unable to follow the initial accelerations but settled into an effort around his threshold.

“The final climb was very explosive, especially at the start,” Uijtdebroeks told Sporza. “I noticed that I was still missing that punch. We have not worked on that yet, so it was to be expected.”

“I quickly realised that I had to drop back to my threshold, which is around 420 watts.”

The figure is close to Evenepoel’s reported threshold, although Uijtdebroeks is thought to be several kilograms heavier and differences in testing conditions and methodology make direct comparisons difficult.

After losing contact on the steepest part of the climb, Uijtdebroeks received support from teammate Raul García Pierna before settling into a steady rhythm alongside Luke Tuckwell.

“Raul did a fantastic job, and together with Tuckwell we kept a good pace and stayed close to the group in front of us,” he said. “I gave everything I had.”

Uijtdebroeks eventually finished ninth on the stage, in the same group as Maxim Van Gils, Luke Tuckwell of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Matteo Jorgenson of Visma | Lease a Bike.

The 23-year-old Belgian ended the race seventh overall, just over three minutes behind winner Isaac Del Toro.

Uijtdebroeks was encouraged by his performance because his preparation is still incomplete.

“I did not expect to be this good already because I have not trained my explosiveness yet and I have been ill,” he said.

After Saturday’s stage, Uijtdebroeks revealed that he had been among the riders affected by illness while racing for Movistar at the Dauphiné.

“I spent a lot of time in the bathroom over the past few days,” Uijtdebroeks said. “But since this morning [Saturday], I have been feeling better. I finally had the same sensations again that I felt at the start of the race.” 

With his form moving in the right direction, Uijtdebroeks is now turning his attention to the final phase of his Tour preparation.

“We will rest now and then return to altitude to work on my VO2 max. I am happy with my week and I truly believe I can finish in the top 10 at the Tour de France. The key will be to remain calm.”