Why Lotto-Intermarché are chasing points in Asia in bid to secure WorldTour future

The Belgian team has been a regular presence in races such as the Tour of Taiwan and the Tour of Hainan, targeting results in events that typically sit outside the spotlight but carry valuable UCI points.

“It might stand out more this year, but we’ve been doing this for three seasons now,” said sporting manager Kurt Van de Wouwer to Sporza. “We started in Taiwan in 2023, and this year we were finally able to win it.”

The strategy is rooted in necessity as much as opportunity. With WorldTour licences for the 2026 to 2028 cycle determined by UCI rankings, the margins are tight. Lotto-Intermarché currently sit mid pack, with only a few hundred points separating a cluster of teams fighting to secure their place at the top level.

“It’s more comfortable to stay out of that danger zone,” Van de Wouwer said. “There are five or six teams clearly ahead in terms of budget and points, but behind them it’s very close. Every point counts.”

Rather than sending their headline names, the team has used these races to develop younger riders in less competitive fields. The approach has already paid off.

Matys Grisel, just 20, claimed overall victory in Taiwan ahead of teammate Matthew Fox, while Steffen De Schuyteneer has also built part of his early career on results in Asia, including a first professional win in China.

“These races suit our squad,” Van de Wouwer explained. “We have a young group, so it fits perfectly. At the same time, there are just as many points available as in some better known races in Europe.”

The numbers underline the impact. The team collected over 200 points from Taiwan alone, a haul that significantly strengthens their position in the rankings.

Lotto-Intermarché are not alone in adopting this approach. XDS Astana used a similar strategy last season, accumulating points across a broad calendar to secure a high overall ranking despite limited success in major WorldTour races.

“It’s an interesting way of working,” Van de Wouwer said. “But it shouldn’t come at the expense of the races closer to home.”

The team insists its focus remains balanced. The Spring Classics still carry major importance, even if results have been mixed so far, with leader Arnaud De Lie not being able to fulfil his promise this season.

“It worked out last year as well,” Van de Wouwer said. “There’s no reason to lose confidence. His winter wasn’t ideal due to injury, so his preparation started later.”

For now, the dual approach continues. While the biggest names battle in Europe, Lotto-Intermarché are also competing on the other side of the world, where fewer teams and similar points offer a different kind of opportunity.