Visma-Lease a Bike’s blended Vuelta a España took one other blow as Cian Uijtdebroeks withdrew from the race with Covid-19.
His staff introduced the choice on X (previously Twitter) hours earlier than the beginning of stage 15, considered one of many contenders for the queen stage of this yr’s race.
Uijtdebroeks had struggled early on within the Vuelta, feeling “paralysed” in his legs on the finish of climbing efforts and unable to find the supply of an issue which has dogged him all through this yr.
However he seemed to be discovering kind later within the race and was a part of an enormous staff effort controlling Saturday’s stage 14. The 21-year-old was a key mountain domestique, placing in a serious activate the ultimate climb of the stage, the Puerto de Leitariegos, as Visma-Lease a Bike tried to arrange a fourth win of this version for Wout van Aert.
“The early phases of the Vuelta have been tough for me,” he informed Sporza earlier than stage 14 started. “However now issues are generally going a bit higher.”
Nevertheless, that enchancment was short-lived as Visma-Lease a Bike wrote on X on Sunday morning, “We’re unhappy to speak that Cian Uijtdebroeks should withdraw from La Vuelta resulting from a Covid an infection. We want Cian a speedy restoration. Get effectively quickly, Cian!”
Covid-19 was additionally accountable for the exits of fellow common classification hopefuls João Almeida (UAE Staff Emirates), who was visibly struggling and tumbled from third to twenty third general the day earlier than his withdrawal, and Thymen Arensman and Laurens de Plus (Ineos Grenadiers).
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Uijtdebroeks’ withdrawal means defending champion Sepp Kuss, who sits fifteenth general, should contend with out one other mountain domestique because the race enters its third week. Sunday’s stage 15 options two class 1 climbs and the formidable HC Cuitu Negru, which incorporates ramps over 25%.
Visma-Lease a Bike had already misplaced Dylan van Baarle to a damaged hip following a nasty crash on Stage 2 and Uijtdebroeks’ withdrawal continues a torrid season for the staff that gained all three Grand Excursions final yr.
The younger Belgian shot to prominence by reaching eighth place on his Grand Tour debut within the Vuelta final yr after a promising early profession, together with profitable the Tour de l’Avenir in 2022.
A high-profile change from Bora-Hansgrohe to Grand Tour profitable machine Visma-Lease a Bike for 2024 was meant to construct on that promise, however his first season with the Dutch outfit has been extra blended. He was compelled to withdraw from the Giro d’Italia with sickness, having spent spells in the most effective younger rider’s jersey, and was knocked out of common classification competition early within the Vuelta.
