After building toward the Tour de France by delivering a result well inside the top ten at the Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes, there was reason for Movistar to be hopeful that new signing Cian Uijtdebroeks was ready to deliver on his debut at the French Grand Tour. But the opening three days haven't been running to plan.
Firstly, Uijtdebroeks struggled on the final climb to Montjuïc in the heat of the opening team time trial, then he crossed the line 27 seconds behind the group of favourites on the second stage to Barcelona. Not only that, as the race entered the Pyrenees on Monday he conceded another minute to race leader Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). That has left the 23-year-old who ended his contract with Visma-Lease a Bike in pursuit of Grand Tour opportunities in 19th overall at 3:24 back after just three stages.
"It hasn't been the start to the Tour he hoped for, although he has the support of all his teammates and the staff during these difficult days," said Movistar in a team release.
The team has, however, revealed that there was a reason for the sub-optimal start.
"The Belgian rider has been suffering from a fever since yesterday, which has forced him to compete in the last two stages far from his best," said Movistar.
Uijtdebroeks has delivered some solid results for the team so far this season, from eighth overall at Volta a Catalunya through to seventh at Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes last month, but he has also had his challenges. He started his time with the team by fracturing his elbow in his season debut at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, which he abandoned.
After stage 3 at the Tour de France the rider wasn't yet prepared to give up on this race though, according to Wielerflits, telling media afterwards that "I can certainly still recover".
“When you are not healthy, it is difficult, but I fought. I have had a fever, since yesterday already. I do hope I can continue racing.”
It's certainly not an easy few days ahead for recovery, with high temperatures and multiple climbs both set to feature on stage 4. Then the ascents ramp up on stage 6, with the Col d'Aspin and Col du Tourmalet making for a formidable combination on the road to the challenging finish at Gavarnie-Gèdre.
"The team will continue to keep an eye on his progress over the coming stages," said Movistar.
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