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In his first professional season, Cian Uijtdebroeks already showed great things. The 19-year-old top talent from Bora-hansgrohe recently finished eighth in the Tour of Norway won by Remco Evenepoel. And that while Uijtdebroeks still has to get used to the professional life.
Vincent Van GenechtenBron: Bahamontes, Wielerrevue
ALSO READ. Cian Uijtdebroeks climbs with the best in Norway and is working on his way to the top: “Everything in function of one goal: to become a round rider”
Uijtdebroeks spoke extensively in the most recent edition of cycling magazine Bahamontes and had a striking passage recorded when it was about legal painkillers.
“Everyone does what they want with that, but I don’t intend to undermine my long-term health for short-term performance,” said the Belgian cycling talent. “If I am beaten by a rider who has taken three grams of paracetamol in the final, I will be frustrated. While it’s perfectly legal, I’m not going to do it. Even if I lose a race because of this and if someone advises me to try it anyway, I will stick to my own plan.”
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Uijtdebroeks made the direct step from the juniors to the pros. It said it first heard about legal painkillers in the Saudi Tour. But get involved… No.
“Why would you take 2.5 grams of paracatemol in the final? You do that when you’re sick, and then not in that amount,” it 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 of two cups of coffee in course? Yes, because that sharpens my focus. But two cups and not fifteen. I’d rather eat twenty beetroots. I understand, but I pass. Don’t forget: until recently I rode in the juniors on sugar and banana sandwiches.”
