Cian Uijtdebroeks had a perfect opening weekend with fourth place in the standings and youth jersey: “Just rode as fast as possible”

After his fourteenth place in the opening stage, Cian Uijtdebroeks performed even better today. He came seventh at the top of the Oropa. A great performance that earned him fourth place in the standings and the youth jersey. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

“This is fantastic,” said a very happy and smiling Cian Uijtdebroeks on top of the Oropa. “For me this was a somewhat shorter climb and that sometimes suits me less. I didn’t know beforehand how I was going to respond to this. But I felt really good. I just rode as hard as I could to the finish. I didn’t do this with the white jersey in mind. But when I heard that I was going to get it, it was just fantastic!”

After his great performance in stage 2, the young Belgian from Visma-Lease a Bike is in fourth place in the rankings. He follows just nine seconds behind Geraint Thomas, who is second. “But it is still a very long race,” Uijtdebroeks did not want to think about a podium place just yet. “I still have a lot of stages to get through. The high mountains are still to come and this Giro also has two time trials. I can always have a bad day too. That’s why we have to take it day by day. But I’m already going to enjoy wearing the jersey.”

Despite Uijdebroeks’ excellent performances, it is not all roses and moonshine for the Dutch formation. After his crash yesterday, Robert Gesink no longer appeared at the start of the second stage. Attila Valter and Olav Kooij crashed again today. “Robert’s resignation is unfortunate. I haven’t spoken to Attila and Olav yet but I hope they are okay. Luck is not on our side. But despite all the bad luck, the boys did an excellent job. They stayed by my side all day. Fantastic to be protected like this.”