"Riders sometimes forget where they came from" - Lotto sports manager reveals he hasn't spoken to Maxim van Gils since controversial departure

The move of Maxim van Gils from Lotto to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe emerged as one of the most highly-discussed stories of the transfer window as the Belgian prodigy and his agent forced his contract to be ripped up at Lotto, despite having only signed a new deal in early 2024.

Whilst Van Gils was by no means the only big name departure from Lotto this off-season as the likes of Victor Campenaerts, Florian Vermeersch and even title sponsor Dstny all leaving ahead of the 2025 season. It's Van Gils in particular that still strikes a nerve with Lotto's sports manager Kurt van de Wouwer.

"I am realistic enough to know that in top-level sport it is ultimately about one thing, and that is the money. I only object to the way it happened. In such situations, riders sometimes forget a little bit where they came from. I really saw him come in as a little boy, so to speak. And that is quickly forgotten, isn't it? By the way, I haven't spoken to Maxim personally since he left," Van de Wouwer reveals of the situation surrounding Van Gils' exit in conversation with Wielerflits.

"We have been attacked. I am not going to push myself into the role of victim, but all those outgoing transfers are a result of the finances. If we had been able to keep up budget-wise, we would have kept everyone on board," he continues with frustration. "They were all riders who actually liked being here. They didn't leave because they didn't want to be part of the team anymore. There are four or five teams that we can't compete with in terms of budget if they come up with such a proposal. Those are just the facts at the moment."

The uncertainty surrounding new sponsors continues as well, with Lotto entering the 2025 season without a second title sponsor. Time will tell if at least that situation can be sorted.