Departure confirmed: Arnaud De Lie is leaving Lotto-Intermarché at the end of the season

The Belgian sprinter is ending his time with Lotto-Intermarché after six years with the team. De Lie joined the Lotto-Soudal Development Team in 2021 from the Crabbé Toitures-CC Chevigny Junior development squad and racked up six victories in his first season.

From junior player to team leader

At the age of 19, De Lie made his debut in the professional peloton in 2022 and won nine races in his very first season. In the years that followed, he developed into one of the team’s key riders. In total, he secured 35 victories for Lotto-Intermarché during his five years as a professional.

Among his most significant victories are the Belgian championship title in Zottegem, the Overall victory in the Renewi Tour and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec. De Lie enjoyed further success at Binche–Chimay–Binche, in Denmark, at the Tour de Wallonie and the Bretagne Classic. He secured his first professional victory at the Trofeo Palma.

Jean-François Bourlart, General Manager of Lotto-Intermarché, explains: "We look back on our time together with great fondness. It’s a shame that our paths are now parting, but we can only be proud of everything we’ve achieved together so far. We’re determined to finish the season on a high together."

A difficult season so far

However, the current season has not gone to plan for De Lie. The Belgian was forced to withdraw from both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France before the end. He withdrew from the Giro after just three stages, and from the Tour de France after only two stages. These setbacks have cast a shadow over what has otherwise been a successful spell with Lotto-Intermarché.

De Lie himself says: "Lotto-Intermarché is my first professional team and it always will be. It’s the team where I grew up, learnt my trade and gained the confidence to become a professional cyclist. I am very grateful to everyone in the team for their help, support and trust over the past few years.”

Until the end of the season, De Lie and Lotto-Intermarché will focus on their shared sporting goals. Next on the programme is the Renewi Tour, followed by the Bretagne Classic and the Canadian races. He has already won the Tour of Belgium, the Bretagne Classic and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec; a successful farewell with the team would at least be some small consolation for this year’s difficult stage races.

It is not yet known which team Arnaud De Lie will join. At just 24 years of age, he is likely to be of interest to a number of teams. His age is quickly forgotten, as he has been competing at the very highest level since 2022. With a new team, he has great potential for the future, despite a rather poor season.