Those who believe that Cycling is beginning to learn the methods of football in poaching talent are not likely to change their minds by observing the way in which the young Belgian hopeful, Maxim Van Gils is trying to free himself, in force, from his contract with the Belgian team Lotto – Dstny.
Last March, Van Gils extended his contract until 2026. But since then, he has changed dimension with very convincing results in 2024: three victories (the Ruta del Sol, the Frankfurt Grand-Prix and the Grand-Prix cantons of Aargau) but above all places of honor in very tough events: Strade Bianche (3rd), Milan-San Remo (7th), Flèche wallonne (3rd) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (3rd).
Obviously, with such progression, its hill climbed to the extent of the final ascent of the Flèche Wallonne. And last August, the young Belgian changed agents. He is now advised by Alex Carrera, the agent of Tadej Pogacar, Jasper Philipsen and Cian Uijtdebroeks, whose transfer from BORA-hansgrohe to Visma-Lease a bike had already caused many people to cringe last year.
Van Gils recently asked to see his salary multiplied by… four. according to the Belgian media HLN. A demand impossible to satisfy for Lotto-Dstny. And that is the aim of the maneuver. Van Gils and his entourage therefore sent a registered letter to his employer to announce that this refusal put an end to his employment contract… Obviously, he knows that this has no chance of succeeding but his idea is to force Lotto -Dstny to discuss a transfer with other formations.
A usual attitude in the world of football where loyalty and respect for one’s word are almost museum pieces. But cycling thought it would be protected from these methods. According to the Belgian media, many teams with deep pockets are interested in the rider: Astana, Movistar, Ineos but above all, UAE, Pogacar’s team or even Red Bull – Bora-hansgrohe, Cian Uijtdebroeks’ team. In other words, the two most prominent riders of those represented by agent Alex Carrera. It’s hard to see it as a simple coincidence.
Except that Lotto-Dstny says it is ready to settle on a possible transfer fee for a question of principle. Still according to the Belgian press, the team management could take the matter to court. A trial could deprive the runner of competition for two to eight months, while the courts decide in favor of one of the parties. And there would only be losers in history.
