Maxim Van Gils (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe) has undergone nasal surgery after the 2025 season to stop the recurring infections that derailed his first year with the team, setting his sights on a full 2026 reset.
The Belgian revealed the operation in a post-season interview, framing it as a decisive step to stabilise his health and form.
"They removed a piece from my nose," Van Gils told Sporza. "That will help me next season."
The 26-year-old’s 2025 campaign never escaped a winter of sickness. A team statement in early March announced he would skip Strade Bianche due to a feverish infection, noting that "health comes first" as he was given time to recover. The spring brought little relief, with a heavy fall at Amstel Gold and lingering issues that left him short of his 2024 level. The cumulative cost was stark: he fell from 14th in the UCI World Ranking at the end of 2024 to 180th across 2025.
Van Gils joined Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe after a breakout 2024 that included podiums at Strade Bianche and La Flèche Wallonne. His role will come under sharper focus in 2026 with the arrival of Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step). Internal leadership calls are not yet public, but multiple reports suggest Van Gils could be the protected option for Milano-Sanremo, with Evenepoel potentially debuting the Monument in a supporting role. The team has not confirmed that hierarchy and is expected to clarify once calendars are finalised.
From a performance standpoint, the procedure offers two clear upsides. Reducing upper respiratory flare-ups should protect training continuity through the winter and early spring, and a resolved medical issue can give a psychological reset after a fractious season.
The proof will come as racing begins in February and March.
