Compensation agreed between Cian Uijtdebroeks, Bora-Hansgrohe and Jumbo-Visma

The transfer saga involving Cian Uijtdebroeks has concluded with a three-party agreement reached between the Belgian rider, Bora-Hansgrohe and Jumbo-Visma (known as Visma-Lease a Bike in 2024).

The move has been approved by the UCI, and GCN understands that a fee was paid to Bora-Hansgrohe in order for Uijtdebroeks' contract to be terminated on December 31.

Uijtdebroeks had already been officially unveiled as a Jumbo-Visma rider on Thursday during the Dutch team’s official presentation in the Netherlands. It’s understood that negotiations between all three parties had been in progress all week with Bora-Hansgrohe unwilling to allow the rider to walk away without compensation.

Earlier this month Jumbo-Visma announced Uijtdebroeks as a 2024 signing only for Bora-Hansgrohe to release an immediate statement on social media claiming that the Belgian rider still had a contract with them for next season. Uijtdebroeks later stated, via his agent, that he had terminated his contract with Bora-Hansgrohe on December 1 and for several days it looked as though the case would end up in court.

Last week Jumbo-Visma brought Uijtdebroeks to their team camp in Spain with the rider wearing black kit and riding one of the Dutch team’s Cervelo bikes.

At the same time reports circulated claiming that Uijtdebroeks had been bullied during his two years at Bora, with the German team categorically denying the rumours.

In the last week the team bosses at both squads have held talks and given the sensitivity of the situation it was only a matter of time before Bora-Hansgrohe released a statement confirming the agreement with Uijtdebroeks and Jumbo-Visma once he was pictured in his new team’s kit.

Bora-Hansgrohe team boss Ralph Denk, confirmed the departure of the 20-year-old rider but did not address the nature of the deal.

"Today is a day of mixed feelings. I was surprised to be approached on short notice with the desire to reach an agreement. But it's well known that I'm open to talks and that I won't stand in the way of a transfer if the conditions are right, and if it's done according to the rules. That was the case three weeks ago and it was the same today," Denk said.

The German team boss also highlighted the fact that Jumbo-Visma had previously announced the signing of a rider who still technically had a contract with another team. At the time of Uijtdebroeks' contract termination at Bora the matter was still pending and had not been ratified by the governing body.

"I am pleased that the dust has finally settled, and that the case is now closed. The agreement shows that it's never too late for a reasonable, personal discussion. I would like this case to remain an isolated incident for the entire cycling family: Let's respect contracts and rules, let's be fair with each other."

Finally, Denk addressed the claims of bullying.

"Above all, I stand behind my team. When false accusations are made against our riders, a line is crossed. To be clear: these accusations did not come from Cian. They were never voiced to us by Cian as a reason to change teams," he said.