Max Schachmann: “Already motivated for next season”

In his first season back with Soudal Quick-Step, Maximilian Schachmann took two wins, finished a remarkable third overall at Itzulia Basque Country and played an important role in many of the team’s victories. Now he is already preparing for next year and is hungry for more.

“I think it was a good year. I enjoyed being back in blue with the Wolfpack and that motivated me as I got my season underway in Algarve. It was a solid start there, and getting a top five overall showed that I had strong legs, which gave me confidence for the next races. It was a pity that I got a bit sick before Paris-Nice, a race I love, but even in these conditions, I did my best to help Ilan.

A couple of weeks later, I returned at the start of Basque Country. It’s a race where I had success in the past, and it made me happy I could continue on this road. To win the prologue, enjoy a spell in the yellow jersey, get a few more podiums and finish third on the general classification was really great. The fact that in June I conquered the ITT title at the Nationals – a victory that was missing from my palmares – rounded out what I believe was a solid first part of the season.

Being back at the start of the Tour de France was nice, and I tried to help the team whenever possible. In the first week, I tried to help Remco with positioning, but also Tim’s lead-out train. It was a hard Tour, but it ended up being a great one for us, with four wins and lots of beautiful memories.

Now I’m already training for next season, where I have two goals: to continue improving and to hit the level I had last April, in the Basque Country, because I am able to do that, I know I can do some nice things. I’m also looking forward to the Ardennes Classics, and even if it’s a long way until then, I would like to be at the start of the World Championships in Montreal.”

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images