Another Arnaud De Lie illness blow - Bronchitis strikes Lotto-Intermarché rider at Renewi Tour as he abandons race
CyclingSunday, 23 August 2026 at 10:22
Arnaud De Lie has been struck by another illness blow at the 2026 Renewi Tour, abandoning the race ahead of Sunday's fifth and final stage. In yet another disappointing end to a race for the Lotto-Intermarché, he has developed bronchitis at the race.
His team confirmed that the 24-year-old was suffering from the respiratory illness, developing it overnight after stage 4. De Lie had won the stage race in 2025 and seemed competitive in this edition's opening stages.
He took 10th place on the first stage before an impressive showing on stage 3 earned him a fourth place on the day. However, things seemingly took a turn on Saturday as De Lie finished 100th place and over six minutes back on a stage that saw sprinters compete for the win.
Those fears have been confirmed on Sunday morning as his team announced that he would leave the race.
De Lie's condition worsens
"Unfortunately, Arnaud De Lie will not start today's final stage of the Renewi Tour," a statement read. "Arnaud was already suffering from upper respiratory tract issues yesterday."
"During the night, his condition worsened and he also developed bronchitis. He will take the necessary rest over the coming days to fully recover and not jeopardize his upcoming races. We wish him a speedy recovery!"
The setback is yet another blow in a season that has seen him abandon both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the opening weeks. On both cases, a stomach infection provided the main issue. This time, a respiratory illness.
Arnaud De Lie
Sprinter set to join Tudor Pro Cycling
It concludes what had been a busy week for De Lie following the confirmation of his move to Tudor Pro Cycling on a four-year deal.
The sprinter joins the ProTeam outfit, who have significantly improved their ranks in recent seasons in their bid for promotion to WorldTour level.
De Lie's arrival is hoped to provide both victories and crucial UCI points - vital for the promotion race over the coming two and a half years. However, De Lie's illness-plagued season is sure to pose concerns as both rider and future team hope to hit the ground running in 2027.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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