Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Friday, November 29, 2024
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. - Francis of Assisi
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Upcoming racing:
- December 15: Namur Cyclocross-Citadelcross
Latest completed racing:
- November 17: Flandriencross
- November 3: European Cyclocross Championships
- November 1: X20 Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 27: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 15 - 20: Tour of Guangxi
- October 20: Japan Cup Road Race
- October 20: Veneto Classic
- October 16: Giro del Veneto
- October 13: Chrono des Nations
Here’s the announcement from Team Lotto Dstny:
Lotto Dstny and Maxim Van Gils have reached an agreement today to terminate the rider’s contract. With approval of the UCI, Van Gils’ current contract will end. After a successful story of seven years together, Lotto Dstny wishes Maxim Van Gils all the best in his further cycling career.
Maxim Van Gils winning stage 4 of the 2022 Saudi Tour.
Stéphane Heulot, CEO of Lotto Dstny: “Maxim came into our team as a young talent, he’s one of the great examples of our DNA to give chances to young riders and help them grow into the best possible rider. With the help and guidance of the team, he made the step to the pro peloton in 2021 and proved to be a golden talent and we look back with a good feeling on the story we wrote together. Over the past years, we have made it our mission to provide young talents with a home where they can grow and build their careers with the utmost professionalism. When they eventually spread their wings, it is something we can truly be proud of.”
“Today it’s unfortunate that we part ways, but we came to a mutual agreement with Maxim and his management A&J All Sports and I’m happy that now we can close this case. If this change makes him happier and helps him to continue growing, we won’t stand in his way. We will keep on searching for young talents and guiding them, as is one of the values of the team.”
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Maxim Van Gils: “Seven years is quite a long time, I have so many beautiful memories with the team. I’m super grateful that Lotto Dstny gave me the chance as one of their U23 riders to turn professional. It’s because of this team and its sponsors that I could grow and take the steps towards the rider I am today. I will always look back to this period with a big smile, even though next year I’ll be riding in a different jersey I will never forget my second family that Lotto Dstny was.”
Jannie Haek, CEO of the National Lottery: “There's a lot of work currently behind the scenes to make the step back to the World Tour level in 2026. While today a rider is leaving, our strong foundation and commitment to developing young talent remain at the core of our identity. A lot of riders also stay committed and believe, like our partners, in the future. Everything that’s done is to make the project stronger, more advanced, and better for those who are part of it. We all support a challenging team where bravery and commitment are key values. The future of the team is full of great challenges and opportunities.”
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MSN posted this:
Maxim Van Gils was at the forefront of cycling news this past week. Suddenly, he stated he wanted to terminate his contract with Lotto Dstny and leave. Meanwhile, half the cycling world already commented, calling him a gold-digger, and most of all, there was some discussion about Van Gils' new team. Now, if we can believe the Belgian outlet HLN, there is more clarity on the subject.
In an earlier post , we already summarized an overview of the developments. Van Gils said he wanted to leave, but in consultation with his team. The team, in turn, was shocked by the request of the 25-year-old classics specialist. The team and rider did reconcile and wanted to part ways, and in the meantime, Astana Qazastan would provide the best deal. That's how things were until Thursday morning. Now, there is a new twist.
Lotto Dstny and Van Gils supposedly have reached an agreement; the rider can leave. The Belgian team will receive the contract termination fee, which will provide them with a nice bonus, regardless of the sportive loss. But who will pay the fee and take over Van Gils? According to the Belgian outlet, it would be Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, and the team has already strengthened tremendously for the classics in the spring.
According to the outlet, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe would be Van Gils's preferred choice. For that reason, not Astana but the German team is now the best candidate to obtain the climber's services. But now another team is on the horizon, namely INEOS Grenadiers. Whether these new developments will have any impact on the outcome, we will surely know soon. After all, 2025 is approaching, and this saga will have to be resolved by then.
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