'It's a shame, those are the most important races of my season' – Maxim Van Gils watches Ardennes Classics from home as fractured pelvis rehab continues

Maxim Van Gils is currently sidelined from the Ardennes Classics as he continues to recover from a fractured pelvis and shoulder sustained in a crash during the Clásica Jaén in February. The Belgian rider, who impressed with podium finishes at Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne two years ago, has been forced to watch the key spring races from home rather than compete for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Despite the setback, Van Gils has begun outdoor cycling again, though he admits his fitness remains far from where it should be at this stage of the season. Van Gils described the rehabilitation process as progressing well but acknowledged the significant challenges he has faced, including five weeks off the bike and a period spent in a wheelchair relearning to walk. He noted that longer training sessions still leave him exhausted and that while his pelvis pain has largely subsided, his shoulder continues to ache after extended rides. The crash itself was caused by a late-race collision with Swiss rider Jan Christen, who was disqualified and promptly apologised, but the injury has nonetheless resulted in a lengthy recovery period. Missing the Ardennes Classics is a major blow for Van Gils, who identified these races, along with Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo, as the most important targets of his season. He had hoped to capitalise on the absence of top contenders like Tadej Pogačar at La Flèche Wallonne but now must recalibrate his ambitions. Despite the disappointment, he remains engaged with the sport, following the races on television and looking ahead to rejoining his team at a training camp in Sierra Nevada in May, with a planned return to racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in June. Looking further ahead, Van Gils is optimistic about his chances of making the Tour de France squad if his recovery continues smoothly. Should that not materialise, he is considering other objectives such as the Vuelta a España, the Canadian Classics, and the World Championships in Montreal—events that suit his strengths. He also emphasised his role in supporting team leader Remco Evenepoel, highlighting that he joined Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe partly to contribute to major stage races without the pressure of being the team’s primary contender.