Visma-Lease a Bike announced that up-and-coming Belgian racer Sian Uitdebroeks has put an early end to his roller-coaster ride at the Vuelta a España, retiring before stage 15 with COVID-19.

Uitdebroeks, who finished eighth in last year's Vuelta a España but was forced to retire from the Giro d'Italia this past May due to illness, went into the Grand Tour as Visma's “Plan B,” along with defending champion Sepp Kuss.

But a difficult first week in the southern Spanish heat dashed his GC hopes, and he rode with what he called a “numb sensation” in his legs. On stage 10, his first stage in northern Spain, he finished in second place and looked likely to abandon the race midway through.

However, Uitdebroeks turned things around as the second week progressed and made a huge comeback at the front on Saturday's final climb, the first category Laitariegos, to ensure that Wout Van Aert was in position for a group sprint on Villabrino.

Interviewed by Sporza before the start of stage 14, Uitdebroeks said, “The early part of the Vuelta was difficult for me, but now, like yesterday [Friday], things are going a little better.” [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] [...]