ProTeam Maxim Van Gils climbs to 8th at Flèche Wallonne

Lotto Dstny rider Maxim Van Gils has again shown his climbing legs, this time with an 8^th place at La Flèche Wallonne. Despite several attacks in the end, the one-day Ardennes Classic was once again decided on the third and final time up the horribly steep Mur de Huy. It was the Slovenian Pogacar who had the fastest acceleration uphill, Van Gils rode a strong climb and eventually finished 8^th. Neo-pro Lennert Van Eetvelt came in 22^nd at his Flèche Wallonne debut.

Van Gils delivered a strong final climb but didn’t have his best legs, the youngster said after the finish “My teammates did a great job to protect me but I maybe didn’t have the great feeling I was hoping for. I wasn’t in the best position once we hit the foot of the Mur but I could still move up and finish inside the top ten. Flèche Wallonne might be a ‘waiting game’, I can tell you it’s been quite the tough race.”

At 20 kilometres from the finish, several riders hit the deck including Andreas Kron. The Dane could quickly get up and return to the bunch, where he sacrificed himself for his teammates. “Andreas made the switch after his crash and assisted me in the final, he’s really an exemplary teammate. We again showed to be a good tandem and this only gives us more confidence towards Liège-Bastogne-Liège this Sunday, where I hope to end my spring season on a high”, concludes Van Gils.

Image: Maxime Van der Wielen.