Visma-Lease A Bike has adopted a resilient stance in the face of setbacks at the Giro d’Italia, vowing to pursue stage victories despite the withdrawal of GC contender Cian Uijtdebroeks. The Dutch outfit’s campaign in this year’s Giro has been a turbulent journey thus far.
The team experienced success early on with Olav Kooij’s impressive stage triumph in Naples, alongside Uijtdebroeks’ strong defense of fifth place overall and the best young rider classification. However, Uijtdebroeks’ struggle during stage 10’s summit finish at Bocca della Selva prompted the team’s decision to withdraw him before stage 11.
Team director Marc Reef explained the situation, noting Uijtdebroeks’ declining fitness and subsequent development of a fever after the previous day’s finish . Reef acknowledged the significant blow of losing Uijtdebroeks, who had been targeting a top-10 finish in Rome, emphasizing that the Giro was a focal point of his season .
Visma-Lease A Bike’s challenges began even before the race, with key riders like Wout van Aert and Wilco Kelderman unable to participate due to injuries. The team’s misfortunes continued with early exits of riders like Robert Gesink and Christophe Laporte .
Despite these setbacks, the team remains determined to adapt its strategy and pursue stage victories. Reef highlighted the resilience of the squad, drawing parallels to previous Grand Tours where they successfully shifted focus from GC ambitions to stage wins .
Looking ahead, Visma-Lease A Bike’s immediate focus remains on navigating the ongoing Giro d’Italia, with plans for the Tour de France still evolving. Reef emphasized the team’s commitment to maximizing remaining opportunities in the current race, acknowledging that their strategic adjustments will require time to fully materialize .
In their quest for success, Visma-Lease A Bike continues to demonstrate a fighting spirit amidst challenging circumstances, poised to make the most of their remaining chances in this year’s Giro d’Italia.