Maxim van Gils: "How to beat Mathieu? It's a race, anything can happen"

How to beat Mathieu van der Poel is the question on the mind's of many at the start of Amstel Gold Race, and also the question asked to many of the favourites. Maxim van Gils on his end, believes everything is possible in Dutch roads.

“We had to get up early and I'm normally not a morning person, but today I had no problem with it," van Gils said in an interview with L1. "The Amstel is one of my favorite races, together with Strade Bianche." At Strade Bianche the Lotto Dstny leader was third after an impressive display, and ever since he has kept showing good legs. He was the strongest up the final climb at the GP Miguel Indurain but rode to second on the day, but he is certainly one of the riders who should do the best on the climbs.

However to be good is not enough when a race is this tactical. "How to beat Mathieu? It's a race, anything can happen," he responds. "We have seen that he is in good shape in recent weeks, but we hope to be good with the team in the final.”

Van Gils enters the race still as a name that is relatively under the radar, but is an absolute contender for the podium or even more under the right circumstances.