Grischa Niermann clarifies roles of Kuss/Uijtdebroeks for Vuelta a Espana

Less than a week before the third grand tour of the year starts in the Portuguese capital: the Vuelta a Espana. Visma | Lease a Bike is heading to the three-week stage race with Wout van Aert but is also taking two GC riders with Cian Uijtdebroeks and defending champion Sepp Kuss. How will the two compare in terms of performance?

Sporting director Grischa Niermann previewed the race in conversation with Sporza, discussing Uijtdebroeks' chances. "Cian will have a free role. We hope to ride in the top ten with him. He proved last year he can do so with an eighth place," he said, with a small comment. "Should Sepp suddenly find himself in the lead, it could well be that Cian will play a helper's role."

For now, 2024 was a year in which Uijtdebroeks could not reap the rewards. In a good position, he had to leave the Giro with Corona; in the Tour of Switzerland, things didn't quite work out, and in Burgos, he was involved in a crash. "Cian is hugely motivated and will ride a good Vuelta. But he is still young, and we shouldn't put too much pressure on him," Niermann said.

Uijtdebroeks fall has no consequences heading into Vuelta

The fall in Burgos has no drastic consequences. "Cian was involved in the massive crash just like Sepp Kuss. He certainly suffered from his injuries, but not to the extent that he suddenly became a question mark for the Vuelta. Days afterward, he confirmed that he was on track in his preparation for the Vuelta."

Kuss eventually won the Tour of Burgos and moved directly to Clasica San Sebastian but failed to win. On Saturday, the American will start the Tour of Spain as the main rider of the Dutch team, where he will have Uijtdebroeks at his side uphill.