WorldTour
Back where he belongs: Maxim’s first ride after crash
Just weeks after his crash, Maxim Van Gils returned to the road for the first time – a powerful and emotional milestone in the longest break of his career.
I started cycling again!
On March 23, Maxim got back on the road for the first time since his crash – a moment that marked far more than just another training ride. After what was the longest period without a bike in his career, the ride became a defining step in his recovery and a powerful emotional milestone. 
“I started cycling again,” he said later, after weeks of being completely off the bike. The return didn’t come overnight – it followed a period in which even the simplest movements required patience and time.
Maxim Van Gils riding outside for the first time after his crash
© RBH
Back outdoors - only five weeks after the crash
What makes this moment even more remarkable is the speed of his progress. Just a few days after being able to walk again without crutches, Maxim was already back on the bike outdoors – less than five weeks after his crash. Since then, he has been steadily rebuilding, extending his rides and reintroducing structure into his training.
“It’s step by step, and you can feel yourself improving every time,” he explained. The process is controlled, but the trajectory is clearly upward.
Finally on the road again
Beyond the numbers and training hours, this first outdoor ride stands for something bigger. After weeks defined by uncertainty and limits, it represents a return to what drives him most: being out on the road. With each ride, the focus shifts further away from the setback and toward what lies ahead in the coming months. 
Now, looking back at that first ride on March 23, it’s clear why this moment mattered so much.
