"I still don't walk like I did before": Maxim Van Gils returns to bike for the first time since his Clasica Jaen crash

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."

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."

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."