ProTeam Maxim Van Gils wants to continue strong season debut at Ardennes Classics

On Sunday 16 April, the Amstel Gold Race is the second of four in the list of Ardennes Classics. In the Dutch province of Limburg, the peloton is facing 250 kilometres of racing, 33 hills included with amongst others the famous Cauberg, Eyserbosweg and Keutenberg. At less than ten kilometres from the line, the Bemelerberg is the final hurdle before the finish in Berg en Terblijt.

At Lotto Dstny, Dutch champion Pascal Eenkhoorn, Harry Sweeny, Jarrad Drizners and Rüdiger Selig are all making their debut at the Amstel. Andreas Kron, Arjen Livyns and Maxim Van Gils are known with the Dutch roads.

The 23-year-old Maxim Van Gils had a strong start to the season and came close to victory at Volta Limburg Classic two weeks ago. Due to illness, he missed Brabantse Pijl but the young Belgian is fit again and ready for his second Amstel Gold Race this weekend.

“Unfortunately, I got ill after the Volta Limburg Classic, maybe the bad weather had something to do with it. After several good training rides and the recon together with the team, I feel ready to take on the Ardennes Classics”, starts Van Gils. “It doesn’t start in Belgium for me, but in the Amstel Gold Race. Last year, I participated for the first time and I learned that the Amstel is a race without too many moments of rest. Due to the toughness of the race, everyone ends up with an honest result.”

From the start of his season in Oman to the Volta Limburg Classic two weeks ago, Van Gils impressed and accumulated the good results. The rider from Wuustwezel, Belgium wants to continue on the same path in the races to come.

“I am really happy with the solid start to the season and I want to keep going this way in the hilly Classics. I started really strong in the Middle East, felt good at Strade Bianche and Milano-Sanremo and laid the foundations for the coming races in Catalunya. I realise that I’ve taken a step forward and feel more fresh to take on the final of a race. It is nice to see that all the hard work is paying off. I target a top ten spot in this Ardennes campaign. Maybe it’s most realistic to do so in the Amstel Gold Race, but also a race such as Flèche Wallonne should definitely suit me.”

Van Gils again expects a tough edition of the Amstel Gold Race. “Just like last year, the race will be a real war of attrition, with its many hills and technical course. I expect that the trend of the past races will continue and it will split to pieces quite soon. The decision could be anywhere but the steep Keutenberg will for sure be a crucial point. At Lotto Dstny we have several strong riders within the team and we are keen on showing ourselves again”, concludes Van Gils.

Images: Photo News & Brecht Steenhouwer.