'It's a shame, those are the most important races of my season' – Maxim Van Gils watches Ardennes Classics from home as fractured pelvis rehab continues

Maxim Van Gils, the promising Belgian rider for Lotto Dstny, has confirmed he will miss the entire Ardennes Classics campaign, including his stated season targets. The 24-year-old is currently recovering from a fractured pelvis sustained during a crash at February's Clásica Jaén. Van Gils, who finished third at Strade Bianche and fifth at the Volta ao Algarve earlier this season, aims to return to racing at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes in June, effectively sidelining him for over three months.

This absence is a significant blow for Van Gils, who had shown exceptional early-season form, marking himself as a genuine contender for the hilly spring races. His third place at Strade Bianche, particularly given the calibre of riders he bested, hinted at a breakthrough Classics campaign. For Lotto Dstny, his injury deprives them of their strongest card in races where they desperately seek WorldTour points and visibility, leaving a considerable void in their ambitions for the Ardennes.

Another spring, another promising talent watching from the sidelines. Van Gils' early season form suggested he was poised to deliver, but cycling's cruel lottery has once again demonstrated its unwavering capriciousness.