"Riders sometimes forget where they came from" - Lotto sports manager reveals he hasn't spoken to Maxim van Gils since controversial departure
Cycling
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.
Did you know 2025 marks 40 years of Lotto in the peloton? ❤️ Scroll through time with these iconic jerseys! Which one’s your favorite?
— Lotto Cycling Team (@lottocycling_) January 4, 2025
Pictures: PhotoNews pic.twitter.com/uiAadBZh9A
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- he can do what he wants, and if he can state his feelings, so can I. and my feeling is, it is fun to see the best riders in the biggest race. there are always stages to go after. and racing is more fun with an MVDP to cheer for. and to the point of the other guy, he raced 7 races prior. he will do 11 or so cross races. yes he races to win, but as a fan I would really love to see him in the race. I'm being greedy admittedly. to the point of vappaxbipmv, he isn't exactly racing his legs off with the races he has been doing.mij07-01-2025
- Well not his last year, but my argument is he can't he win the Tour. Remember this thread during the upcoming Tour, btw, I do admire Primoz.awp07-01-2025
- He did a convincing display at Ancares doing peak numbers even without optimal preparation in a team that is weaker in grand tours. Sure he's getting older but the narrative that he's in his last year is ridiculous.alsene07-01-2025
- He is not anti-doping. He is pro-whining. He is more than happy to cheer for the dopers he likes and believe in the miracles he likes.
MarkFour06-01-2025 - Froome has found a genuine way to race slow .. no further gears restrictions needed for him. And speaking about safety - this overnight packfodder to GT winner should start with holding the tt bars while descending with both hands. What a clown!!
UltimateOpportunist06-01-2025 - Nice, yeah, if you’re around a 6-7% gradient when they attack you’re not going to see much, it’s not for nothing the steepest sections are so crowded. If on TV you see an overweight fan running along for more than 30m you know they’re nowhere near that speed there;-)Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- Merry Crossmas to you tooMistermaumau06-01-2025
- I respect his anti-doping stance but in trying to rehash everything he’s no longer looking at the changes. It’ not just one or two riders who suddenly improved, the whole peleton has gone through an upgrade. For sure there are still cheaters, may e even amongst the very best but a large part of the improvement is generic and explainable. Even racing itself has changed. There is progress in EVERY sport, constantly, why would cycling be the odd one out?Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- Don’t doubt your cynical side ;-) It’s hardly likely to be true either and he is hardly in a position to judge for others who is best this or that. If he’d just said, he was always good to ME that would have been more truthful and then everyone could draw their own conclusion, now he’s basically shot himself in the foot for nothing (as far as we know).Mistermaumau06-01-2025
- He's the best teammate with Domen Novak cruising Pogi to become Cycling World Champion.
James2631806-01-2025