He was once one of the best in the world, but after three years full of depths and diseases, Maximilian Schachmann is just rediscovering what he is capable of as a cyclist. Back at Soudal Quick-Step, where he became professional in 2017, he will start at Paris-Nizza as one of the captains from Sunday. After a time at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, which has left many deep scars in the head of the 31-year-old.
“I would have liked to understand what was going on, but I still don’t understand”Maximilian Schachmann describes the estrangement from his long-time Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe racing team. Sounds, as with a divorce in which the formerly lovers, can no longer remember what she used to draw.
Maximilian Schachmann for Germany’s only World Tour Rennstall pedals for six years. A relationship that started extremely hopefully. The Berlin-born in Berlin won the Paris-Nice tour in 2020 and 2021, he stood on the podium with the heavy Ardennen classics Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Amstel Gold Race, celebrated a total of eleven victories there during his time. Most of them on the World Tour level.
But since summer 2021 he has only succeeded in a single professional success. This was followed by frustrating years full of diseases, full of setbacks, which rarely let him return to his old level.
Corona infections Throw him back
“The team was mostly the opinion that my professional career is over, that I can no longer come back”Schachmann looks back at a time these days, shaped by mutual doubts. Everything originated in two lengthy corona infections, which largely ruined its 2022 season.
He, who was supposed to fill out one of the captain roles in the team and was also paid as such, could no longer call up what was expected by the team leader. Schachmann’s dismay does not stick to a year in which the problems dominated. Actually, it only got worse.
Lack of support from the team page
The next serious illness followed in spring in 2023. One that could not simply be diagnosed. Complete exhaustion, for weeks. Even the stairs to the third floor, up to his apartment, was enough to leave the professional, which was otherwise trained in such a trained, completely ko.
In this phase, the skepticism on the team leadership around Ralph Denk greater and larger. But help not to get to the bottom of the causes, the team did not exist, the professional complains today. The handling of the team page made everything even more difficult. Schachmann was missing the backing: “If you cannot deliver your performance, you already have enough problems in your head. What I found very difficult was the complete loss of trust. I was accused of not accusing any athlete”. The team, he says, spoke of burnout, lack of motivation.
Germany’s Maximilian Schachmann in the Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe jersey
The Berlin -born found out on his own, which he was suffering from the cytomegalie virus. At least finally a result with which Maximilian Schachmann could handle. One that required patience and a completely new performance structure. The professional changed the trainer internally, worked with John Wakefield from October 2023. He put practically everything to zero. Successfully. In 2024 it finally went uphill again.
Almost pink jersey at Giro d’Italia
Last May, Schachmann almost caused a big bang, almost took over the pink leadership jersey at the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia. Only centimeters separated the Germans from victory in the demanding final. Schachmann was faster in the direct duel than Tadej Pogacar, but narrowly lost against the Ekuadorian Narvaéz. “Even a success there, would probably have changed nothing more. The child had already fallen into the fountain”. That means that his relationship with the team leadership disturbed too sustainably.
In July, team boss Denk announced that Schachmann’s contract would not be extended. A month later, the professional announced his move to Soudal Quick-Step, the team of the double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, the team in which Schachmann became professional in 2017. “I noticed in the conversations that they really want me. I felt their will to get back in shape. In my situation it is certainly helpful to work with people who already know and they also know one”.
Less than a second is missing World champion title
Maximilian Schachmann almost had even switched to the Belgian racing team as a world champion. Because at the World Cup, he and the German team in the mixed team were not even lacking a second to win the title. After 53 kilometers. Even though Schachmann could only start with antibiotics after an infection.
Germany’s Maximilian Schachmann (right) in the target sprint with Ecuadors Jhonatan Narvaez (left)
The big question that two German street masters asks himself: How far can he go forward at the age of 31? “The level that I last had in training, I have never been so strong”. Words that make hope. From the end of January, Schachmann prepared for the new season for three weeks at Colombia. Traveled there, just accompanied by girlfriend Mery, a native of Peruvian, and daughter Emma Valentina. He trained there around Medellín together with Daniel Felipe Martínez, the overall second of the Giro d’Italia 2024.
Obviously an effective start to the 2025 season. The season, in which Maximilian Schachmann should finally focus on success again. His racing debut in the new, old team was very promising. Fifth in mid-February on the Algarve tour, which was won by Jonas Vingegaard. Then the next training block, at home in Andorra, where the cyclist has been at home for a little more than a year.
With confidence to Paris-Nizza
Now the first big highlight of the year is coming up: his start at Paris-Nizza on Sunday, probably the most important World Tour tour of spring. Maximilian Schachmann has already won this race twice. Successes that trigger confidence in his head. “I will definitely go in with the attitude that the mountains seem to be there”. In the Soudal Quick-Step team, he is one of three captains. European champion Tim Merlier should provide victories at the sprints, Schachmann and Belgian Ilan van Wilder land as far as possible in the overall ranking.
Freedoms that he would like to use before Schachmann wants to concentrate on the Ardennes classics in April. Which goals he can pursue there, however, will also depend on whether the super star of his team is back in top shape until then. The Tour de France third of the previous year, Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian plans his comeback after a long injury break. And when a Remco Evenepoel starts somewhere, it is always one of the top favorites. Belgiens-Radsportidol has already won twice at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Comeback at the Tour de France?
There is a lot to say that Maximilian Schachmann will also be one of the most important helpers Evenepoels at the Tour de France in summer if the Belgian wants to fight for the overall victory there. For Maximilian Schachmann, the start in France would also be like a kind of comeback. The Berliner has not started on the tour since 2022. “This is the biggest stage. But I’m not driven off the stage. I just like to ride bike races”. Preferably against the best in the world. Finally being a competitor at eye level again, after such a long time, that is his goal. “It will be difficult to win again, but I already have it in mind”.