# Maxim Van Gils Reflects on His Professional Journey as Tour de Suisse Begins
As the Tour de Suisse launches today with an individual time trial in Frauenfeld, Lotto Soudal’s Maxim Van Gils prepares to embark on what he describes as a pivotal moment in his professional cycling career. This eight-day WorldTour event represents only his second race since transitioning to a pro cyclist at the beginning of the year.
At just 21 years old, Van Gils shares insights into his first few months as a professional, which have been anything but smooth. “I had a really good winter and an excellent training camp with the team, but I started the season quite late due to the many races being cancelled early in the season. But at the Volta a Catalunya, I could finally make my pro debut, immediately at WorldTour level,” he explains. Despite achieving several promising results during the stages, he felt he wasn’t racing at his full potential, particularly during uphill segments.
The young Belgian faced a significant hurdle when he contracted COVID-19, initially experiencing only mild symptoms, but soon found himself needing an extended recovery period. “It wasn’t until a few days after the positive test that I felt miserable and was exhausted after every little effort. I had to spend more than ten days in bed,” Van Gils recounts. He eventually resumed training, starting with short sessions yet still contending with lingering physical discomfort.
“Luckily, I haven’t had any symptoms since a month and a half now. I opted for a 14-day training camp in Tenerife to build my shape, and I am glad I stayed there for such a long period because I really made big progress there,” he adds.
Despite these setbacks, Van Gils maintained a positive mindset. “Honestly, it was really hard to cope with the feeling of starting from scratch after a winter full of sacrifices and long training rides,” he admits. Nevertheless, he remained determined not to let the situation dampen his spirits. “I really used the quarantine period to recharge the batteries—both physically and mentally—towards the summer, where I really want to show myself.”
With the Tour de Suisse now on the horizon, a race he is particularly enthusiastic about, Van Gils feels this event signifies the true start of his professional journey. “It feels like the Tour de Suisse really marks the start of my pro career. It is immediately a tough race, but a very beautiful one,” he remarks. He recognizes the challenging nature of the race but is hopeful about the punchy finishes that may suit his style. “Most of all, I hope to feel like a pro again on the uphill sections. The main focus is to find the good feeling, but I would also like to show myself in an early breakaway, for example,” he concludes.
With the journey ahead, Van Gils stands poised to make his mark in the competitive world of professional cycling.
