Belgian top talent Van Gils joins German cycling team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe

Belgian cycling talent Maxim Van Gils will ride for the German Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team from the next road cycling season. The Antwerp native had his contract with the Belgian team Lotto Dstny dissolved about two weeks ago.

The 25-year-old Van Gils joined the development team of the then Lotto Soudal team in 2018 and signed his first pro contract in 2021. He already got his first taste of victory in 2022 with a stage and the overall victory in the Saudi Tour, but he fully showcased his potential last season.

Van Gils finished third in the classic races Strade Bianche and the Flèche Wallonne, fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the GP Montréal and seventh in Milano-Sanremo. He also obtained three victories in 2024: in the Ruta del Sol, Eschborn-Frankfurt and Grosser Preis des Aargau races. ​

The Belgian had extended his contract with Lotto Dstny in March until 2026, but still decided to examine other options for next season. “I am grateful that Stéphane Heulot (CEO of Lotto Dstny, ed.) and I handled the situation professionally after Maxim had expressed that he wanted to change teams,” said Ralph Denk, team manager of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.

At the German powerhouse, Van Gils amongst others becomes teammate of four-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic and Belgian sprinter Jordi Meeus. For the Ardennes classics, where Van Gils is hoping for a leader's role, BORA has also contracted two other top talents: New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black and Italian Giulio Pellizzari.

“I am proud to have attracted the interest of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe,” stated Van Gils, who already will go on training camp with his new team on Tuesday. “I felt a special bond with the team from the first moment. Now I want to work hard with them to achieve some big goals. My adventure in the new colours starts tomorrow!”

^{#FlandersNewsService | Maxim Van Gils in action during the elite men road race at the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Switzerland © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS}