As the Tour de Suisse begins, Lotto Soudal rider Maxim Van Gils looks ahead to the race and reflects on his first months as a professional cyclist. Van Gils, who turned pro at the start of the year, experienced setbacks due to race cancellations and a positive Covid test. However, he remains optimistic and is eager to showcase his abilities at the challenging stage race.
Van Gils discusses his pro debut at the Volta a Catalunya, admitting that he didn’t feel at his best: “Definitely uphill, I felt that I wasn’t racing at full strength.” Following his positive Covid test, Van Gils experienced symptoms and had to take a long period of rest. However, he slowly regained fitness and embarked on a 14-day training camp in Tenerife, where he made significant progress.
Despite the challenges he faced, Van Gils stayed positive and used the quarantine period to recharge mentally and physically. He sees the Tour de Suisse as a fresh start to his pro career, expressing excitement for the race and its punchy finishes. Van Gils hopes to find his rhythm on the uphill sections and also aims to make an impact in an early breakaway.
