“If I want to win, Van der Poel should not be there” – Maxim van Gils ready for chaos at Milano-Sanremo
Cycling
Twelve months ago, Maxim Van Gils stunned many by finishing
seventh at Milano-Sanremo. Now part of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe following a
winter transfer from Lotto, the 25-year-old Belgian returns to the iconic
Monument with quiet confidence and a sharper sense of what it takes to make an
impact on the Via Roma.
Speaking to In de Leiderstrui ahead of the 2025
edition, Van Gils reflected on his breakthrough performance last year and what
might have been possible with a sharper finishing kick.
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“I feel good,” he said. “Last week I looked back at the
images from last year. It's a shame that I don't have a very good sprint,
otherwise I probably could have done even better last year.”
Despite a less than ideal run in to the race, Van Gils isn’t
heading to the start line with doubts, just determination.
“My run-up was not ideal of course, but I am in good shape
at the start. If I had any doubts, I would not have started. I am quite certain
that I will be good, but Milan-Sanremo is always a special race. Especially if
it rains on Saturday.”
Initially, Van Gils had planned to ride the Volta a
Catalunya, but adjustments were made to centre his preparation solely on
Sanremo.
“I've really been working towards Milano-Sanremo, it's not
like I'm preparing for the Walloon classics now,” he explained. “The plan was
to go to the Tour of Catalonia, but that was a bit tight, so we really focused
on Milan-Sanremo. I believe I'm good enough to be able to compete for a good final
classification on Saturday.”
Van Gils made time for training reconnaissance on the
Cipressa and Poggio this week, using his efforts to study the crucial moments
more thoroughly.
“Normally I ride the Cipressa and Poggio at a very high
pace. During my training rides I was able to take it a bit easier and also
explore the two climbs well. I now know the important points a bit better,
which could be important for me in the race.”
Should the key contenders light up the Poggio, Van Gils is
confident he can hold his ground.
“If Pogacar or Van der Poel go, I think I can just follow
them. The climbs are difficult, but not hard enough that I expect to have
problems.”
He also acknowledged the threat posed by other top names
expected to be in the mix.
“Ganna and Pedersen are of course also in excellent shape
now. In addition, they have also shown in previous years that they can compete
for the victory, so this year they are also men to be reckoned with. However, I
am not going to adjust my own course to this and I expect the course of the
race to be the same again.”
The Belgian joined Red Bull–BORA–Hansgrohe over the winter
and is now working with a new coach. While the structure around him has
changed, his preparation remains familiar in rhythm.
“The preparation has been about the same,” he said. “I did
get a different coach, which meant that the training towards the race was
different than last year. But the run-up itself remains the same, and that is
often the case with most teams.”
Crucially, Van Gils feels supported by a strong roster
around him, riders who can help guide him into position on the crucial climbs,
before it becomes a fight of legs and instinct.
“I think that many riders will be jealous of my teammates on
Saturday. I have a very strong team with me who can set me up well on the
Cipressa or Poggio. But on the final climb it will mainly be man against man,
and the legs will have to do the talking.”
Van Gils knows that if he wants a shot at the win, he’ll
need to be among the first over the Poggio, and even more importantly, nail the
descent.
“It is important for me to be the first over the Poggio. It
is also very important for me to ride an excellent descent. Still, you never
know in Milan-Sanremo, it is actually a big lottery. There is a chance to ride
to the finish in a small group, but if I want to win, Van der Poel should not
be there, haha.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as 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. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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