Van Gils is smarter than the UAE riders: "I know Tim pretty well, I know I'm faster in the sprint"

"It was a really tough and hot stage. I think everyone could feel it in their legs. No team was really able to control the race. UAE Team Emirates-XRG is here with multiple leaders, and they tried to play their cards. So for me, the key was to anticipate," explained the 25-year-old rider.

He put that tactic into practice flawlessly on the final climb of the day, Alto de Frigiliana (8.6 km at 5%). His powerful attack significantly thinned out the group of favorites. Only Pavel Sivakov, who had escaped earlier, and his teammate Tim Wellens managed to hold on. This meant that Van Gils had to battle two UAE riders in the finale.

"I know Tim quite well. I was on the same team as him (at Lotto, ed.). I know that I’m faster in the sprint, so it was crucial not to let him get away. I had to try to keep everything together and gamble on the sprint," Van Gils explained. Easier said than done. But the Belgian managed to control the race, keeping everything together and beating Wellens in the final sprint. It was another success in the Ruta del Sol and a big confidence boost after crashing out of the Étoile de Bessèges two weeks ago.

Van Gils had already made a strong impression in last year’s Ruta del Sol, winning the time trial. But how does this victory compare? "My win last year had a bit more prestige because it was a high-level time trial," Van Gils admitted. "But this victory is also special. I was incredibly motivated at the start, still thinking about last year. I’m really proud of myself."

Thanks to his win, Van Gils now leads the general classification. While his performance makes him a serious contender for overall victory, he remains cautious. "UAE has a very strong team here. They will try to use that to their advantage in the coming days. I have to admit, that worries me a little. I hope my team can handle it."

Maxim Van Gils enjoys one-week stage races like the Ruta del Sol, but he has no interest in anything longer. "Honestly, I don’t enjoy them that much. Before a grand tour, I look forward to the start, but after about four days, I’m already looking forward to the end," he told Sport Knack.

The new signing for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has set his sights mainly on one-day races this year, including Strade Bianche, the Ardennes Classics, and the two Canadian races in the fall. "I want to perform well there and carry that form into the World Championships and the Tour of Lombardy." The World Championships weren’t originally part of his plan. "There were a few things that made me hesitant: after long trips, I’m usually very fatigued, I’m not a big fan of vaccinations, and I have a sensitive stomach that sometimes reacts badly to different foods."

It was national coach Serge Pauwels who eventually convinced him. "He told me the flight duration wasn’t too bad and that we would opt for an overnight flight. Plus, the hotels would be excellent. That information reassured me." Van Gils’ first stage win in the Ruta del Sol was certainly a strong start to a season full of big goals.