Arnaud de Lie and Lennert van Eetvelt on the way out - Lotto-Intermarché climbed to World Tour, but will lose their leaders

Lotto-Intermarché's hard work at developing top Belgian riders has rewarded them for a few years, however by 2027 it is likely that the majority will have departed. According to a recent report, both Arnaud de Lie and Lennert van Eetvelt are set for moves in the winter of 2026.

De Lie has been the leader for the Belgian team since turning pro and has over the past few years contributed massively for its promotion back into the World Tour - on the way, providing several high-quality wins in the sprints and classics.

Last summer he beat Mathieu van der Poel at the Renewi Tour, and to this day continues to have the trust and leadership at Lotto. However he is set to enter a new phase in his career, likely with a higher salary and stronger support crew.

Het Laatste Nieuws reports that there were multiple teams seeking to sign him including Soudal - Quick-Step, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Groupama - FDJ and Alpecin - Premier Tech were all in contacts with the Belgian.

But instead, it has been decided that he will join Tudor Pro Cycling Team at the start of next season, joining the likes of Julian Alaphilippe, Stefan Küng and Matteo Trentin (the latter hasn't renewed yet) for the spring classics.

The Belgian news outlet reports that NSN Cycling Team and XDS Astana Team are also in contacts with Lennert van Eetvelt, putting another one of Lotto's leaders in jeopardy of departing.

The climber has not had a consistent run over the past few years, however he was incredibly impressive early in his career, winning the UAE Tour and the Tour of Guangxi in 2024. Injuries and illnesses often got in the way of his performances last year - which ended at the Tour de France - whilst this spring that scenario repeated itself. He was still sixth at the UAE Tour and will be on stage hunting duties at the upcoming Giro d'Italia.

“If Arnaud goes, we will have a big exercise to complete,” team CEO Jean François Bourlart said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad. The behind-the-scenes moves at this point of the year are no secret, and he talked openly about the potential depart of his leaders, and the need to have to replace them if so.

"Then we have to look for riders who bring the winning dynamic into the team. Arnaud certainly needs a trusted, family atmosphere where dialogue is possible. But sometimes you also have to be able to say ‘and now we are going for it.’

On the climber, who could well be moving to NSN, Bourlart explained: “Lennert has changed agents, and a new agent makes contact with new teams. 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.”

The likes of Valentin Madouas and Emilien Jeannière have been mentioned as potential arrivals to the team in case it is necessary to sign new leaders, but it can't be denied that the Belgian team can face a difficult period, after the departure in previous years of Alec Segaert, Maxim van Gils, Florian Vermeersch and Victor Campanerts without their replacements.

If Van Eetvelt departs, the team may be stripped of its chances in mountainous races at World Tour level as well. “Lennert started the season very well at the UAE Tour, but then came that crash in Strade. 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. Lennert is now riding the Giro, which offers a rider with his qualities good opportunities," he concluded.