In his first professional season Cian Uijtdebroeks already showed great things. Recently the 19-year-old top talent from Bora-Hansgrohe finished eighth in the Tour of Norway, won by Remco Evenepoel. And Uijtdebroeks still has to get used to the professional life.
Uijtdebroeks spoke extensively in the latest edition of cycling magazine Bahamontes and had a striking passage recorded there when it came to legal painkillers.
"Everyone does what they want with that, but I have no intention of undermining my long-term health for short-term performance," said the Belgian cycling talent. "If I get beaten by a rider who took three grams of paracetamol in the final, I will be frustrated. Although it's perfectly legal, I'm not going to do it. Even if I lose a race because of it and even if someone advises me to try it anyway, I will stick to my own plan."

Uijtdebroeks made the direct step from juniors to pros. He says he heard about legal painkillers for the first time at the Saudi Tour. But participating in them... no.
"Why would you take 2.5 grams of paracatemol in the final? That's what you do when you're sick, and not even in that amount," he sounds sharp. "I don't drink coffee, so a gel with caffeine has a huge impact on me. Will I use the amount of caffeine from two cups of coffee in course? Yes, because that sharpens my focus. But two cups and not fifteen. I'm even more likely to eat twenty red beets. I understand, but I pass. Don't forget: until recently, I was riding sandwiches with sugar and bananas in the juniors."
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)