"I still don't walk like I did before": Maxim Van Gils returns to bike for the first time since his Clasica Jaen crash
Cycling
Maxim Van Gils seems as if he had been cursed by cycling gods ever since his departure from Lotto at the end of 2024. The young Belgian puncheur suffered multiple setback during the previous season, but the worst was yet to come at the start of this year. Heading into the last 200 meters of Clasica Jaén, Van Gils was in the contention for podium, however an unexpected collision with Jan Christen sent the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider into the barriers.
The 26-year-old was in a world of pain and it quickly became clear that the damage was done. Multiple minor bruises aside, Van Gils now has to recover from pelvic and shoulder fractures before he can return to bike racing.
Speaking from Red Bull's Athlete Performance Centre, Van Gils reveals that the recovery is progressing smoothly: "I still have pain in my wrist, but I don't think anything is broken. So, it was just the shoulder and the pelvis, but I think it’s enough," he says in a story published on team website.
"I actually feel quite good. At least not too bad. The time went quite fast in the last four weeks." But the first few days in particular were sometimes agonising. Maxim was initially reliant on a wheelchair and later had to use crutches for a long time. He was able to take them off a few days ago. "That was the first goal when I arrived here. If you use them for too long, it's bad for your back."
It's not the same as before
Under the guidance of rehabilitation experts, Van Gils made a steady progress in the month since his accident, even though he admits there's still miles from a 100-percent feeling: "It got a little better every day. However, I walk differently in the morning than in the afternoon. But it's getting a little better every day. I still don't walk like I did before. But I'm not a marathon runner either. Even if it's not perfect, I can still get on my bike."
Four weeks without cycling is still a long time for Maxim. "Perhaps even one of the longest periods in my life when I wasn't able to pedal. But at least for many years. I broke my collarbone once when I was 16 or 17. But even after that, I was back on the bike after a week."
Maxim van Gils after his crash at Clasica Jaen 2026
So, his return, even if only inside, was still a major checkpoint in his recovery although the young athlete would prefer to feel the wind again: "It's boring on the rollers."
But the moment makes all the difference. "I was a little worried about injuring my hip. Because it was really painful in the first few weeks. Especially when I moved my leg, sneezed or coughed. But it was fine, the right leg started to feel the connection again. After 30 minutes everything was fine. The second time, I was even able to get out of the saddle a bit."
The desired progress is there. But Maxim will have to wait a while longer before a next appointment appears on his racing schedule. In the meantime, the rough plan for his comeback is set: "I think I'll be back in June."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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