Of course, Maxim Van Gils also had to let everything sink in first. Deep in the final of the gravel classic Jaén Paraiso, 150 metres before the finish line to be precise, he had a serious fall. In a sprint of a group of three for the podium, he crashed into the barriers through no fault of his own. The crash not only left him with a hip fracture, but also a shoulder fracture which requires surgery.
Just one night later, at least his equally battered mind was already on the road to recovery. "I'm supporting you from home, enjoy the best race of the season," he wrote to his team-mates in a WhatsApp group. The mischief was already back on his mind, as he wasn't referring to the Tour de France or a major classic, but rather the Ruta del Sol, which he was supposed to be riding alongside Aleksandr Vlasov and Co.
"It's a special race for me," says Maxim with a wink. "I've developed a kind of love-hate relationship with it. When I was there for the first time, it was almost completely cancelled due to farmers' protests. I wanted to go home, but then somehow a time trial was organised. And I won that. And last year I was here again and won the first stage in a sprint against Tim Wellens. That was in my second race for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and one of the most important victories in my career so far."
Maxim is certain that his form would have been just right again this time. However, he was denied the chance to prove it. In this interview, he talks about the accident, his condition and what awaits him in the coming weeks.
Maxim, how do you feel now, a few days after your accident?
Maxim Van Gils: Of course it's not the best feeling of my life, but it's okay. The situation is what it is. I'm not hopeless or totally sad and hope that the healing progresses as quickly as possible.
The hospital in Herentals has now diagnosed a broken shoulder in addition to the already known pelvic fracture ...
Maxim Van Gils: In a month's time, we will take new scans and pictures and see how everything develops. If everything goes well, I might be able to get back on the rollers in four weeks or something. Yes, it was a pretty big crash.
Can you describe how the crash happened?
Maxim Van Gils: When the three of us came onto the home straight, nobody really wanted to make the first move because there was a bit of a tailwind and it was also slightly downhill. So you really needed the perfect moment. Then Pidcock tried it on the left. I reacted. Christen then came from the right and maybe a bit closer than he needed. But that's the way it is in cycling. Things like that happen. Especially when you've been riding on gravel for four hours.
Everyone wanted to get to the finish line as quickly as possible and the barrier was getting closer and closer. At that moment, I got a little knock from Christen on my handlebars. I tipped into the barrier, which probably broke my bike and then I flew off over the handlebars.
Of course, that was extremely disappointing. I remember waiting at the race doctor's car for ten minutes afterwards because the doctors were discussing the situation with the team. I thought at that moment that I would probably be a bit stiff for the next few days, but that I could still build up a good form for Strade, Tirreno and Sanremo. And then someone from the team came to me and said that my hip was broken ...
How did you deal with this news?
Maxim Van Gils: The clocks stopped ticking for a moment. But the situation couldn't be changed. There's no need to be mad with Christen either. He wants to win races just as much as I do, he was very motivated. I know the feeling of coming into the final and fighting for the podium. That's what we train for every day.
Did he get in touch with you?
Maxim Van Gils: The night after the incident, he sent me a message on social media. I replied to him and it was okay with that. I think he felt bad too and didn't want something like that to happen.
Actually, you should have been in Andalusia right now. Now you're sitting in Belgium and have to watch instead of being active yourself. Can you watch your team-mates on TV or do you prefer to switch off?
Maxim Van Gils: Of course I watch what Remco and co. are doing at the UAE Tour. And if it's not behind the paywall, I also watch Andalusia. (laughs) I love the sport now too.
What do the next few months look like for you now?
Maxim Van Gils: Weeks! It's only weeks until I can get back on the bike. I'll be working a lot with the physios, resting a bit and then hoping to get back into shape as quickly as possible.
It doesn't sound like you've already ticked off the season.
Maxim Van Gils: Of course not! It's only just begun. I can't do much for four to six weeks now. But it's almost like the winter break. I took a break in November, didn't do anything. And then: December, January - two and a half months later I'm already close to top shape again. I still have plenty of time, there are still many beautiful races to come.
But it won't be enough for the Ardennes.
Maxim Van Gils: No, that's true. And that's a shame, because I'm missing my favourite races for the second time in a row. Just like Strade. But I'll be back next year. And before that, a second half of the season is still waiting for me!
