Arnaud De Lie’s tough start to the 2025 season continues, as
the Lotto rider has been forced to make changes to his spring calendar.
The Belgian national champion, once seen as a major contender for the cobbled
classics this year, did not take the start at the E3 Saxo Classic on Friday. He is still
scheduled to ride Gent Wevelgem on Sunday, but expectations have been tempered.
Despite his talent and the high hopes placed on him, De
Lie’s current condition has raised concerns within his team. "E3 is a race
that wasn't really a priority in his schedule. It all depended on his fitness.
We're not going to hide it, he's way behind on a lot of things for several
reasons," team manager Stéphane Heulot told RTBF.
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“There’s still a lot of work to do. The ball is in his
court, we're doing everything we can to support him. But this Friday would have
been too big an addition to the race with Gent Wevelgem, which is more likely
to suit him. We know, however, that it will be difficult to play a leading role
there."
While the short-term picture may look bleak, Heulot remains
supportive and optimistic about De Lie’s long-term future. "It's always
difficult not to be on time for the train. We know that the classics are
important for him, for us, for our partners. Obviously, it's sad, but he's
already suffering from it himself. We know almost all the solutions and the
path to follow. The season is still long, even if we're having trouble planning
for the medium term."
Heulot was keen to remind fans and critics alike that De
Lie’s age and career stage should be kept in perspective. "The life of a
top-level athlete is never a bed of roses. He's only 23. Where were Philipsens
or Van der Poels at the same age? They've grown up and built up their skills.
Arnaud needs that too. It's not Lyme disease. There are no excuses."
Read also
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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