7 race days and 3 victories: with such a report, Arnaud De Lie does not have to milk. The goldcrest of Lotto-Dstny impressed last week in the Ster van Bessèges with two stage victories.
“That first stage win was already a punishment: it came from the wheel of Mads Pedersen, a world cyclist,” José De Cauwer told De Tribune yesterday.
“But that 3rd stage was even tougher: there were still 30 riders left and he was still there. We thought he was a pure sprinter, but De Lie is much more than that.”
The superlatives are therefore flying around us. “Two years ago, Wim Vansevenant (ex-rider and father of Mauri) said to me: ‘I’ve seen one in the juniors and he’s going to be world class.'”
“I then started to follow him. We really know him since last year and it is as if he has become even better. You can also see that he is already a bit sharper.”
“There is still so much room for it. He will still surprise us, even now in the spring.”
For the troubled Lotto-Dstny, who dropped out of the WorldTour, a young and fresh colt like Arnaud De Lie is a goldmine. But there are always privateers on the coast in the peloton as well.
“I will not say that he will do it alone, but in principle De Lie will bring them back to the WorldTour, although they may have lost him.”
“If you play fast, you would have to pay him millions to hold him and that’s how you know he’s staying.”
“You could, as it were, pay him in advance, otherwise you will lose him, although that is also a risk.”
