Lotto-Dstny CEO pushes back after Van Gils saga: "Next time, we’ll show our teeth"
Cycling
Maxim Van Gils was officially presented to the press by Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe on Saturday, and it’s safe to say that didn’t sit well with Lotto-Dstny. In an interview with Cyclism'Actu, the Belgian team’s CEO, Stephane Heulot, shared his perspective on the departure of the gold medalist.
The story has made the rounds in the media: Van Gils kicked off 2024 in incredible form and signed an improved three-year deal with the team that developed him. But his star kept rising. After strong performances in the Italian spring classics, he delivered solid results in the Ardennes and clinched victory at Eschborn-Frankfurt, securing a major points haul for Lotto-Dstny.
With his market value soaring, interest from other teams and the temptation of a transfer wasn’t far behind. Lotto-Dstny couldn’t financially match the offer Van Gils and his new agent, Alex Carera, were looking for. Eventually, a deal was struck with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, leaving the Belgian team without their best scoring rider for 2025.
“There wasn’t much we could do,” Heulot explained. “Belgian law is very tolerant, and it’s not in line with our values to sideline a rider for seven or eight months. Maxim gave a lot to this team, and while I don’t agree with how it all played out, we have to accept that contract breaches are becoming part of the sport. It’s frustrating because we had a three-year vision with Maxim, Lennert Van Eetvelt, and Arnaud De Lie. It’s a shame that this happened in November.”
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Heulot won't let top Widar talent go lightly
One case Heulot is determined to handle differently is that of Jarno Widar, another top Belgian prospect. He’s not planning to let Widar slip away as easily as Van Gils. “We’re working on it, but it's certain that what happened with Van Gils won’t happen again. Next time, we’ll show our teeth,” warned the Lotto-Dstny boss.
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Latest Comments
- I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024