This Saturday will mark the start of his first Tour de France, and he will do so in a role that is anything but secondary. At just 23 years old, Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks will be the leader of Movistar Team in the most prestigious race in world cycling. It's an important responsibility, especially considering that the Spanish team will race the opening weekend in front of their home crowd, but the rider from Hannut faces it with the serenity and smile that characterize him.

Officially presented in the splendid setting of the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona, Uijtdebroeks reiterated clearly what his objective will be: the general classification. "I prefer a top-ten finish in Paris rather than a stage win," he stated without hesitation.

A choice that perfectly reflects his vision of cycling. For the young Belgian, building his future as a Grand Tour rider is worth more than success on a single day.

His move to Movistar was no accident. Uijtdebroeks revealed that the opportunity to race the Tour de France was one of the main reasons that pushed him to leave Visma.

"Initially I had imagined a season with the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España," he explained. "But the day after our first discussions, the staff called me back saying that they wanted to build the team around me for the Tour. It was an enormous show of confidence and I accepted enthusiastically."

An endorsement that the Belgian wants to repay by targeting a prestigious result in the final classification. "Finishing in the top ten is my goal. If a distinctive jersey also comes along, like the white one, that would be an extraordinary bonus."

Uijtdebroeks himself, however, smiles when thinking about the competition among the young riders. "There is a phenomenon that dominates the new generation and many of the riders fighting for the top 10 will also be competing for the white jersey. It could even happen that the yellow jersey and the white jersey end up on the same shoulders."

Like many riders of his generation, Uijtdebroeks grew up watching the Tour de France on television. And he had a very specific idol.

"As a teenager I was a huge fan of Chris Froome. For me he represented the perfect rider for Grand Tours."

What fascinated him was not only the British rider's victories, but also the Team Sky philosophy.

"I liked their approach to the small details: nutrition, equipment, preparation. They always tried to push beyond the limits. It's a way of interpreting cycling that I really identify with."

Today that childhood dream has become reality. "Being at the start of my first Tour is something I've wanted since I started riding a bike. I know I haven't really grasped how big this event is yet, but I think I'll understand soon."

The seventh place achieved at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes confirmed the young Belgian's good form and gave him extra confidence heading into July.

Even more important, however, was the work done with his new Movistar teammates. "That race allowed me to really get to know the team and to create a united group, both on and off the bike."

To facilitate his integration, Uijtdebroeks is also studying Spanish. "For several months I've been taking online lessons for two hours a week. I understand practically everything my teammates say to me, although I still make some mistakes when I speak. On the bike, though, I can always make myself understood."

The team's confidence represents an absolute novelty for him. "It's a luxury to have an entire team built around me. It's the first time I'm tackling a Grand Tour with this level of support."

For Uijtdebroeks this debut will not only be a test, but also the first real step toward the future he imagines for his career. No obsession with stage wins, no search for sporadic exploits: the Belgian wants to prove he can be competitive over three weeks, consistently facing mountains, time trials, and pressure.

A top-ten finish is his stated objective. If he manages it in his first Tour de France, it would be confirmation that Belgian cycling has found another general classification rider destined to leave his mark in the years to come.