Movistar Team has secured the signature of Belgian climbing prospect Cian Uijtdebroeks, committing him to the Spanish squad from 2026 through to 2029. At 22 years old, the Tour de l’Avenir winner and multiple Grand Tour young rider classification contender will be one of the centrepieces of the team’s long-term project.
The contract, among the longest in Movistar’s modern history, signals the team’s intent to invest heavily in stage racing talent. Uijtdebroeks arrives after two seasons with Visma | Lease a Bike, during which he confirmed his ability in the mountains and against the clock, most recently winning the 2025 Tour de l’Ain in dominant fashion.
Photo Credit: GettyA rider with growing Grand Tour pedigree
Uijtdebroeks first came to prominence with overall victory at the 2022 Tour de l’Avenir, and quickly showed he could translate that promise to the WorldTour. He took the best young rider’s jersey at the 2024 Giro d’Italia and finished second in the youth classification at the 2023 Vuelta a España. Those results established him as one of the most highly rated climbers of his generation, with consistent progress season by season.
“I am at a point in my career where developing as a Grand Tour rider has become essential,” Uijtdebroeks explained. “Movistar Team has a proud history in stage racing and it is a team where the human aspect really matters. As I live in Andorra and often train on Spanish roads, it will be an honour to defend the colours of the most emblematic cycling team in Spain.”
He added that the presence of Enric Mas and the team’s strong tradition in hilly one-day races also influenced his choice, underlining his ambition to become a key rider across a range of demanding terrains.
Movistar’s vision for the future
General manager Eusebio Unzué described the signing as a cornerstone for the squad’s future. “It is a source of pride to bet on young riders with the ambition and talent of Cian. He has already proven a great deal and we feel fortunate that he considers us the ideal team to continue his career. He has the ability to inspire and the capacity to deliver.”
For Movistar, the deal reflects a broader strategy of combining experience with youth, positioning Uijtdebroeks as the next general classification leader to emerge from the team’s system.
Departure from Visma | Lease a Bike
The move ends Uijtdebroeks’ spell with Visma | Lease a Bike, where he earned his first professional victory this season. Team CEO Richard Plugge acknowledged the rider’s development but admitted their visions diverged. “The ambitions of Cian and the team began to take different paths. At this moment we could not offer him the role and race calendar he considered essential for his development. After open and honest discussions, we agreed to his request to take a new step in his career. We wish him much success.”
How the transfer was finalised
According to his manager Alex Carera, the agreement was reached just two days before the World Championships. “The decision was made purely for sporting reasons,” he told Sporza. “Cian wants to ride big stage races with a meaningful role, and in a team full of leaders that was difficult. If you want to grow every year, you need the chance to ride for the general classification.”
Carera emphasised that money was not a factor. “What matters is that Cian is happy. Movistar has a staff with great experience, and aside from Enric Mas they do not have many established GC leaders. That gives him the chance to grow. The agreement was reached quickly and cleanly between all parties.”
Looking ahead
Uijtdebroeks will not be rushed into Tour de France leadership in 2026, but Movistar intends to give him a stage racing programme that nurtures his GC ambitions. With a contract stretching until 2029, both rider and team are committing to a long-term partnership that could see him become the face of Movistar’s next era.
The signing also reinforces the team’s identity as a Grand Tour outfit that continues to build around both established contenders and ambitious new leaders.
