ProTeam Maxim Van Gils at the start of Clásica San Sebastián: “Hoping for a sprint with a small group”

Van Gils has already started the Basque hilly classic twice: once finishing 12th, and the second time, unfortunately, he had to abandon. “I hope the third time will be good again,” Maxim Van Gils says with a smile. “But it’s hard to predict. After having to leave the Tour de France due to a COVID infection, I was bedridden for three days. I was off the bike for almost a week.”

“San Sebastián suits me well. I’m slowly realizing that one-day races are more my thing than stage races. I prefer starting with a fully charged battery rather than one that’s only at 80 percent. Some riders can still perform very well at 80 percent and remain mentally focused the entire time, but I need that full battery to really get the most out of myself. And after this recent period of rest and training, mine is nearly back to 100 percent.”

Van Gils is hoping for a sprint with a small group on Sunday. “In an ideal scenario, we start by riding at a steady pace—not too hard, not too slow. Then, on the third-to-last climb, we pick up the pace, which causes a selection, leading to a small group heading towards that final steep climb, finishing with a sprint with about ten riders. That final climb suits me. The year I finished 12th, I was still in a good position there. If my legs are good, I might be able to do something special.”

Alongside Maxim Van Gils, Andreas Kron and Lennert Van Eetvelt will also be at the start. “We simply have a strong team this weekend. We haven’t ridden much together this season, but I think, for example, Lennert will be very strong. But there will be many strong riders. Some are coming from altitude training, others from the Tour. Many will be in good shape.”

Picture: PhotoNews