Teams & Riders Cian Uijtdebroeks - From the wetlands to the top of cycling

[Berniece]

Sorry, I didn't know there was a statute of limitations on forming opinions of riders based on their own actions.

When the only thing you do is cry, and nag the whole time about that single thing about this rider, there is.

It’s the same as saying tik tok Armstrong over and over again

 

[Libertine Seguros]

When the only thing you do is cry, and nag the whole time about that single thing about this rider, there is.

It’s the same as saying tik tok Armstrong over and over again

Thanks for clarifying. Can you confirm how long the statute of limitation is, after which criticism is no longer allowed? I figure saying that Antonio Tiberi shot a cat or that Gianni Moscon was racist is verboten, because those are more than 2 years old too and we've already established that almost 2 years is beyond the statute of limitation for criticism. But I'd like to know if I'm still allowed to laugh at Lorena Wiebes doing a Zabel at the Amstel Gold Race last season.

 

[Berniece]

Thanks for clarifying. Can you confirm how long the statute of limitation is, after which criticism is no longer allowed? I figure saying that Antonio Tiberi shot a cat or that Gianni Moscon was racist is verboten, because those are more than 2 years old too and we've already established that almost 2 years is beyond the statute of limitation for criticism. But I'd like to know if I'm still allowed to laugh at Lorena Wiebes doing a Zabel at the Amstel Gold Race last season.

If that's the only thing you ever say about Tiberi, Moscon or Wiebes you can stop. If the only thing you can do is criticize a rider over 1 single thing, over and over again it's annoying and doesn't really contribute to the forum.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

If that's the only thing you ever say about Tiberi, Moscon or Wiebes you can stop. If the only thing you can do is criticize a rider over 1 single thing, over and over again it's annoying and doesn't really contribute to the forum.

Unfortunately, it's the most memorable thing he's done in his career, unless you count being called "Blobloblo" by Enric Mas. I feel it reflects poorly on his character and that it is the kind of action that does deserve being reminded of. You don't get to just act however you please and avoid any kind of consequence or criticism because it's in the past, unless you demonstrate significant growth or contrition. I have seen none of that from Uijtdebroecks, and so I will continue to perceive him negatively as a result.

Just like Chloe Dygert - I didn't want her to be injured and struggle to get back because I don't wish her harm, but while I can wish her recovery, I don't wish her success.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Well, it can get a bit tedious with the constant remarks on that specific case. Im no fan and don't really care for Cian tbf, but on the other hand, its nice to see him back at a good level again, and I don't really think there's a point in constantly reminding people of what he did when he was 20. I think most people know and is ready to move on from that, even though what he did was pretty dumb and showed a lack of respect, but okay, no worse than that. I think we all did stuff when we were 20 that were not super proud off looking back now.

 

[Sciatic]

If that's the only thing you ever say about Tiberi, Moscon or Wiebes you can stop. If the only thing you can do is criticize a rider over 1 single thing, over and over again it's annoying and doesn't really contribute to the forum.

Yes, LS contributes so little to this forum

 

[Berniece]

Yes, LS contributes so little to this forum

That’s not what I’m saying. Such posts don’t contribute anything. He contributes more than me in general.

 

[Sciatic]

That’s not what I’m saying. Such posts don’t contribute anything. He contributes more than me in general.

I got that. Why not just skip reading the posts you find objectionable? I mean it's a noble stand to ask to disregard people's poor decisions or foibles when they're in the past. But since those people are not here, it's no benefit to them.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He's gone i think.

 

[Pozzovivo]

Crushing it today! Should go to la vuelta in this form. Why not?

 

[acm]

There is not exactly the strongest competition, but it's really nice to see him healthy and that he can show his potential. Great ride so far.

 

[theyoungest]

I got that. Why not just skip reading the posts you find objectionable? I mean it's a noble stand to ask to disregard people's poor decisions or foibles when they're in the past. But since those people are not here, it's no benefit to them.

What I find ridiculous is that Cian is actually a very nice guy, a bit of a dork even. The image that (mainly) Anglophone fans have of him is so far removed from reality. And it's all based on that one moment where he tore up his contract with Bora (a team that isn't exactly behaving like they care about contracts, unless it's their own apparently).

 

[Valv.Piti]

Cian > Remco

 

[AlpRaid]

Cian > Remco

chill. it's his first pro win...

he does have GT body shape (but absolutely no sprint).

 

[Libertine Seguros]

What I find ridiculous is that Cian is actually a very nice guy, a bit of a dork even. The image that (mainly) Anglophone fans have of him is so far removed from reality. And it's all based on that one moment where he tore up his contract with Bora (a team that isn't exactly behaving like they care about contracts, unless it's their own apparently).

A very nice guy, but still one who will throw a team under the bus with accusations based primarily around weaseling out of commitments he'd made by underhanded means, in order to sign a shiny new contract for more money. Yea, I judge him for that and don't see why I should apologise for that. It's the kind of thing that overrides a whole lot of being a nice guy because it makes him the kind of nice guy who'll stab you in the back at the first sign of personal gain.

The most sympathetic interpretation I can give you - and I think it would be a more than reasonable interpretation too - is that, being a young pro giddy on his first bit of high profile success, and a bit of a dork, he was susceptible to manipulation by a money-grubbing agent who had got wind that Plugge was interested, and was prepared to use scummy means if necessary to get the deal done. And that as a Belgian rider on a Dutch team, it's not surprising that media in those two countries would have a more sympathetic rendering of the situation than others.

I don't know what they want from me, it's like the mo' money we come across the mo' problems we see.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

A very nice guy, but still one who will throw a team under the bus with accusations based primarily around weaseling out of commitments he'd made by underhanded means, in order to sign a shiny new contract for more money. Yea, I judge him for that and don't see why I should apologise for that. It's the kind of thing that overrides a whole lot of being a nice guy because it makes him the kind of nice guy who'll stab you in the back at the first sign of personal gain.

The most sympathetic interpretation I can give you - and I think it would be a more than reasonable interpretation too - is that, being a young pro giddy on his first bit of high profile success, and a bit of a dork, he was susceptible to manipulation by a money-grubbing agent who had got wind that Plugge was interested, and was prepared to use scummy means if necessary to get the deal done. And that as a Belgian rider on a Dutch team, it's not surprising that media in those two countries would have a more sympathetic rendering of the situation than others.

I don't know what they want from me, it's like the mo' money we come across the mo' problems we see.

No Biggie.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

No Biggie.

The man was a great, but Diddy having produced those records does give me some serious cognitive dissonance nowadays.

 

[Didinho]

Finally on the way to his first pro win. Confidence boost for sure. Thought he wasn’t going to the Vuelta? But I hope they could fit him in, starting again in this condition.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

The man was a great, but Diddy having produced those records does give me some serious cognitive dissonance nowadays.

Well, it's an interesting choice of yours, to use that quote to lay blame on Uijtdebroeks quest for supposedly a bigger paycheck. P Diddly Squat had his grubs all over it.

Maybe something by A Tribe Called Quest, Arrested Development or Public Enemy would have been a better choice.

 

[peterfin]

What I find ridiculous is that Cian is actually a very nice guy, a bit of a dork even. The image that (mainly) Anglophone fans have of him is so far removed from reality. And it's all based on that one moment where he tore up his contract with Bora (a team that isn't exactly behaving like they care about contracts, unless it's their own apparently).

I wanted to write something similar. Painting an image of someone based on a single event is dangerous, especially if the info we get is coloured and limited. We don't know what really happened prior to his break-up. Maybe he is the bad guy and fully to blame but it does conflict with all we have seen from the guy sofar on Belgian television and journals. To be clear, I am not a fan. I am just stating with what I see and hear.

 

[theyoungest]

The most sympathetic interpretation I can give you - and I think it would be a more than reasonable interpretation too - is that, being a young pro giddy on his first bit of high profile success, and a bit of a dork, he was susceptible to manipulation by a money-grubbing agent who had got wind that Plugge was interested, and was prepared to use scummy means if necessary to get the deal done. And that as a Belgian rider on a Dutch team, it's not surprising that media in those two countries would have a more sympathetic rendering of the situation than others.

You would be quite wrong if you think that Dutch media would be more sympathetic to this. The team being Dutch works both ways: more praise, but also more criticism.

What I do think makes the difference in this case is that if you're a Dutch speaker and you've watched one or two interviews with this guy, you can't hate him. Most people knew him from his interviews during the Vuelta before they ever knew anything about his capabilities on a bike. The guy has an almost naive enthusiasm, it's very infectious.

 

[Wvv]

Be afraid Pogi. Be very afraid.

Congrats on ur 1st pro wins, Cian. Keep up the good work.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Be afraid Pogi. Be very afraid.

The biggest reason why Pogacar, or any other rider for that matter, will have to try their hardest to keep Uijtdebroeks behind them. is because if he would be riding in front of them, their eyes would instantaneously combust having to look at his style on the bike.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Maybe he is the bad guy and fully to blame but it does conflict with all we have seen from the guy sofar on Belgian television and journals. To be clear, I am not a fan. I am just stating with what I see and hear.

British TV portrays a very positive and sympathetic image of Lizzie Deignan too, I dare say a lot of people who knew about her primarily from that would have been surprised when we found out what the péloton thought of her.

(Edit: reductio ad absurdum. I'm not saying Cian's personality and Lizzie's are alike. That would be far too critical even for me)

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Well, i'm not really a fan of Uijtdebroeks, though i'm not a hater either, but it's good to see he's back to form. Let's hope 3rd time's the charm and he is now free from his physical issues. Maybe we can see some interesting battles with the likes of Del Toro, Ayuso, Pellizari etc in the future.