Cian Uijtdebroeks seems to have returned to top form after various problems that have plagued him for over a year, ever since his retirement from the 2024 Giro d'Italia, when he was 5th in the general classification and wearing the white jersey.

The Dutchman delivered an exceptional performance today in the third stage of the Tour de l'Ain : Uijtdebroeks attacked on the Col du Gran Colombier and quickly shed all his rivals; the Team Visma rider crossed the summit with a 1:30 lead on Prodhomme and over 3 minutes on the rest of the peloton, and continued to increase his lead along the descent and on the subsequent flat section.

The 2003-born rider swept the third and final stage and the general classification with a 3'03" lead over Prodhomme and 6'24" over his teammate Tullet : sensational gaps considering the brevity of the French stage race!

Uijtdebrokes will now be called upon to compete in the Czech Tour scheduled for August 14th to 17th. He is not currently on the startlist for the Vuelta , but, given his recent performances, he could be called upon to serve as a top domestique for Vingegaard.

Photo: @teamvismaleaseabike