Wout van Aert could also be a much-missed determine for Belgian fanatics at this yr’s Giro d’Italia, however an outstanding debut for his compatriot and teammate Cian Uijtdebroeks has for sure sparked a recent wave of passion again house within the Italian Grand Excursion.
8th within the Vuelta a España remaining yr, the Visma-Rent a Motorbike racer had already been tipped by way of Belgium, in addition to biking’s greatest-ever racer Eddy Merckx, as a robust candidate for the Giro’s best possible younger rider classification.
“He’s now not on the stage of a Tadej Pogačar,” Merckx informed l. a. Gazzetta dello Game this week, “however he can nonetheless do an ideal Giro.”
There’s no realizing if Merckx’s feedback had served as inspiration to the 21-year-old Uijtdebroeks at the Oropa summit end climb on Sunday. However in the end, by way of completing a scant 30 seconds off the tempo on degree 2 at the back of winner Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates), the younger Belgian is now fourth general and is playing the beginning of a spell within the white jersey as best possible younger rider, his first in a Grand Excursion.
“I didn’t recall to mind getting the white jersey as of late, however I rode as onerous as I may and I’ve were given it, which is unbelievable,” Uijtdebroeks informed Sporza.be.
“After I first heard that I used to be in white, I couldn’t imagine it, I assumed they will have to have made a mistake. However in reality I’m very contented to have taken my first Grand Excursion classification jersey.”
Moderately than possibility blowing up by way of reacting to each and every transfer, Uijtdebroeks mentioned he had ridden at his personal tempo at the 11-kilometre Oropa. He identified that during a dash on the end, the place he positioned 7th, he knew in the end that he wouldn’t be up there.
As for whether or not he’ll be capable to shield his lead, Uijtdebroeks echoed the phrases of Pogačar, announcing that there was once nonetheless an extended method to move and numerous demanding situations to return.
“I am taking a look ahead to the levels with longer climbs, and I felt excellent at the steep portions of the climb as of late, too. And naturally, this can be a jersey you don’t surrender and not using a combat.”
Pogačar was once the Excursion de France’s best possible younger rider for 4 consecutive years and received the formative years classification on the 2019 Vuelta a España. Pogačar’s eligibility to win Grand Excursion white jerseys has expired since he became 25 in September 2023.
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