Lotto-Intermarché confirm De Lie exit as new chapter looms for 2027

Lotto-Intermarché have confirmed that Arnaud De Lie will leave the team at the end of the 2026 season, bringing the curtain down on a six-year relationship that began back in 2021 when the Walloon joined the development team before stepping up to the WorldTour in 2022.

During his spell with the team, De Lie has scored 35 victories, becoming Belgian champion in 2024 and also the GC at the Renewi Tour in 2025.

This season, the Belgian has claimed two victories, most recently in June at the Ethias Tour de Wallonie. De Lie has also struggled for consistency this season due to illness, with the 24-year-old abandoning the Giro d’Italia on stage 4 and the Tour de France on stage 3, respectively.

De Lie’s departure had been widely expected after months of transfer speculation, with Tudor reported to be in pole position for his signature.

“You joined us as a young rider with big dreams. You will leave having become one of the biggest names in the peloton,” read Lotto-Intermarché’s official statement.

“Belgian Champion, WorldTour winner, already 35 pro wins. We are proud to have witnessed your growth, and even prouder to have played a part in it.”

De Lie's exit comes at a transitional moment for the Belgian team, which has undergone significant change since merging with Intermarché-Wanty ahead of the 2026 season, with further changes already looming for 2027.

It has also been reported that fellow team leader Lennert Van Eetvelt will move on for 2027, leaving Lotto facing the loss of two of its most important riders from recent seasons.

Lotto CEO Jean François Bourlart had already acknowledged the scale of the challenge in May, saying, “If Arnaud [De Lie] goes, we will have a big exercise to complete. Then we have to look for riders who bring the winning dynamic into the team.”

One serial winner who has been linked to the team is Primož Roglič, who will depart Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe at the end of 2026. Het Laatste Nieuws reported that the Belgian team have held negotiations with the four-time Vuelta a España winner over a possible move for 2027. 

Roglič is not the only notable rider being linked with Lotto. There are also reports surrounding potential moves for Rune Herregodts, Mauri Vansevenant, Juan Sebastián Molano and Stan Dewulf, suggesting the team could be preparing for a significant reinforcement of its roster ahead of 2027.

No agreement with Roglič has been finalised, but the reported interest, combined with the other names linked to the team, suggests a potential shift in direction for a Belgian squad that has relied heavily on homegrown leaders such as De Lie and Van Eetvelt in recent seasons.

Though the team also holds high hopes for under-23 European champion Jarno Widar, who holds significant potential, and in July agreed a contract extension that runs through 2028.

So far, the Belgian team have yet to officially announce an external signing, but have promoted Milan Donie, Kamiel Eeman and Victor Vaneeckhoutte from their development team for 2027.