Lotto-Intermarché brace for a future without key riders

On Friday, De Lie can ride himself into pink on the Black Sea coast. The 24-year-old finally opened his account for the season last weekend at the Famenne Ardenne Classic after a disappointing spring, but the bigger question around him is no longer his form. It is where he will be riding in 2027.

According to HLN, Tudor are now in pole position to sign De Lie. The Swiss team, led by Fabian Cancellara, have been tracking De Lie for some time and are looking for a younger leader who can give their project more bite in the classics and reduced sprints. De Lie fits that profile: powerful, fast and still some distance from his ceiling.

There was interest elsewhere. Groupama-FDJ United remained in the frame, while Alpecin-Premier Tech also explored the file. Soudal Quick-Step and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe looked at the deal too, but the financial demands made the chase more complicated. Tudor, by contrast, stayed in the race.

For Lotto-Intermarché, losing De Lie would be more than a transfer setback. Jean François Bourlart has made that clear himself. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, the CEO called De Lie “a force of nature” with “an enormous will to win”, but admitted that the team would have work to do if he leaves. 

“If Arnaud goes, we will have a big exercise to complete,” Bourlart said. “Then we have to look for riders who bring the winning dynamic into the team.”

That search is already taking shape. Names such as Valentin Madouas and Emilien Jeannière have been mentioned, and Bourlart did not deny talks. “They are riders who are out of contract and with whom we are indeed speaking,” he said. “They would have a place in our team. Classics riders and sprinters fit our DNA.”

Bourlart also knows managing De Lie is not always straightforward. The Belgian needs trust and a familiar environment, but not blind protection. “Arnaud certainly needs a trusted, family atmosphere where dialogue is possible,” Bourlart said. “But sometimes you also have to be able to say: ‘And now we are going for it.’”

The second concern is Lennart Van Eetvelt. The 24-year-old climber is also out of contract and has interest from several teams. Soudal Quick-Step had been linked with him earlier, but that trail has cooled according to HLN. NSN Cycling Team are now pushing hardest, with Astana in the background.

Bourlart also addressed the transfer noise around Van Eetvelt. “Lennert has changed agents, and a new agent makes contact with new teams,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “I respect their work. They have to make sure a rider earns as much as possible. But in the meantime, everyone has understood that performing in the current season takes priority over speculating about the future.”

A decision is expected before the end of the month. Van Eetvelt also starts the Giro for Lotto-Intermarché, giving the team another reminder of what could soon be leaving.

However, Bourlart said it remains to be seen how Van Eetvelt will perform in Italy after his spring was derailed by a crash at Strade Bianche. “Lennert started the season very well at the UAE Tour, but then came that crash in Strade,” he said. “As a result, he missed too much training for the bigger goals. The Ardennes came too early. He was good, but not at the level of the great champions.”

Still, Bourlart did not write off his chances in Italy. “Lennert is now riding the Giro, which offers a rider with his qualities good opportunities,” he said.