Max Schachmann has developed himself as a top puncheur in the peloton, with a lot of success throughout the past few years. Seeing the success of like-minded riders at the Tour of Flanders however may have convinced him to give the Belgian monument more focus in the coming season, and more ambition.
The German rider has came up the ranks and finally reached a peak in 2019, where he has taken several wins, including three at the Itzulia Basque Country, and a third place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In the following years he's also developed himself as a stage-racer, with two consecutive Paris-Nice wins to his name. In 2023 he will be testing himself on different terrain.
He's already made his debut at both Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, however both of which with results that have not given much to the imagination. 2022 was a disappointing year however, with several illnesses affecting the German. He looked to be back on track at the Tour de Suisse where he finished in the Top10, but Covid-19 has struck just before the Tour de France.
Hence Schachmann was unable to perform at his best level once again, and abandoned the two Spanish post-Tour classics he took part in. Effectively, Schachmann finished his season in July citing fatigue. With the long break, he is hoping to start off his 2023 campaign at the Tour Down Under with strong form, before targeting the spring classics.