Now it’s official. After a long and tumultuous journey, Cian Uijtdebroeks is confirmed to compete for Visma-Lease a Bike starting in 2024.
In an official statement, BORA-hansgrohe announced that they have reached an agreement with the talented young Belgian for his transfer to the Dutch team.
BORA CEO reveals mixed feelings
“Today is a day of mixed feelings. I was surprised to be approached with the desire to reach an agreement. But it is known that I am open to negotiations and will not hinder a transfer if the conditions are appropriate and if it is done according to the rules. That was the case three weeks ago, and it is the same today,” says Ralph Denk of BORA.
“I am pleased that the dust has finally settled, and the case is closed. The agreement shows that it is never too late for a reasonable personal discussion. I hope this case remains an isolated incident for the entire cycling family.
False accusations against Bora-hansgrohe cyclists
“Let’s respect contracts and rules, let’s be fair to each other,” continues Denk. “Above all, I support my team. When false accusations are made against our cyclists, a line is crossed. To be clear: these accusations did not come from Cian. They were never told to us by Cian as a reason for changing teams.”
According to journalist Thijs Zonneveld from AD, the 20-year-old was the target of intimidation at BORA-hansgrohe due to his excessive enthusiasm for the sport, being labeled as “weird,” as reported by Giro do Ciclismo.