Strade Bianche podium finisher Maxim Van Gils (Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) may not be again to check out and higher his 3rd position from ultimate season as a “feverish infection” has saved him out of coaching and compelled him to omit the Italian Vintage.
His new workforce for 2025, Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, introduced that the Belgian would now not be on their seven-rider roster for Saturday’s race at the white roads of Tuscany, as he wishes time to recuperate forward of later targets on the Ardennes in April.
“On Saturday, Strade Bianche will write its next chapter. But one key protagonist will be missing from the Tuscan spectacle this year: Maxim Van Gils, who delivered a stunning performance to reach the podium last year, won’t be able to repeat his success,” learn a observation from the workforce.
“A feverish infection has sidelined him, forcing him to miss crucial training days. Health comes first – Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe is giving Maxim the time he needs to fully recover and return to top form.”
Van Gils was once because of get started the 213-kilometre race as probably the most favourites, along former winners Tadej Pogačar (UAE Workforce Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers), after his spectacular show to take 3rd ultimate yr.
In his absence, Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe nonetheless have a robust workforce, however it possibly lacks the punch that their headline new signing for this season would have equipped.
“The team is fielding four debutants: Roger Adrià and Tim Van Dijke are heading straight from the Opening Weekend to Tuscany, while Filip Maciejuk and Toni Palzer will also take on the white gravel for the first time,” mentioned Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
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“Experience comes in the form of Gianni Moscon and Jan Tratnik – both last raced here in 2022. And for Jonas Koch, it’s a special moment: after his crash at the Volta ao Algarve, he makes his comeback.”
Van Gils has already had some dangerous good fortune since he made the leap around the Pink Bull, crashing out of his season debut at Etoile de Bessèges in a atypical incident when a automobile were given at the route.
He then returned with sturdy shape on the Vuelta a Andalucia in February together with his first level win for the German workforce and fourth position on GC on the Spanish level race.
Whichever trail Van Gils takes, on the other hand, his giant targets had been at all times on the Ardennes trio of Classics: Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Batsogne-Liège.
“He was third in Flèche and not far off the podium in Liège [fourth], so obviously, these are the big goals for him to start with.”
