Maxim Van Gils is still under contract with Lotto-Dstny until the end of 2026, but according to Het Laatste Nieuws it is not certain that he will still ride for the Belgian team next year.
Movistar and Astana Qazaqstan would like to sign the puncheur, but Lotto-Dstny does not want to let Van Gils go. The team also does not want to cooperate in a transfer of Jarno Widar, who is wanted by Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe.
Van Gils extended his contract with Lotto-Dstny last spring. This was just after the Ruta del Sol, which was shortened to an individual time trial, which Van Gils won. After that, the 24-year-old rider continued to have good results in the classics: third at Strade Bianche, seventh at Milan-San Remo, third at the Fleche Wallonne and fourth at Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Van Gils’ market value has therefore increased considerably. The rider believes that he deserves a better salary, but Lotto-Dstny would not have the means for that – partly due to the loss of co-sponsor Dstny after this season.
Van Gils’ manager has therefore started talking to other teams, including Movistar and Astana Qazaqstan. They would both still have the budget to pay the Belgian rider.
Lotto-Dstny is not prepared to cooperate in Van Gils’ contract termination. In order to make a transfer, an agreement from all three parties is required: the rider, his current team and the new team. However, Van Gils can appeal to a famous Belgian law. This allows a paid athlete to terminate his contract if he pays his former employer compensation equal to the salary of the remaining term of his contract, with a maximum of 36 months.
