"I don't think it was smart to set up Arnaud De Lie in Le Samyn at all" - Nathan Van Hooydonck is critical of Lotto's influence in rider schedules

Nathan Van Hooydonck, former Jumbo-Visma leader, now has a lot of time to analyze situation in other teams too. According to the Belgian, there are certain things that are less ideal in the planning of Lotto Dstny's star rider Arnaud De Lie's racing programme. He tells Het Nieuwsblad that the sponsor has still a bit too much say in the schedules for De Lie's own good.

"De Lie has abandonned Paris-Nice. Which I think is just a good, smart decision in view of the classic spring. It is annoying for a rider because you want to ride kilometers and get better, but it certainly does not have to be problematic," Van Hooydonck opens. "What I didn't think was smart – not to say stupid – was the decision to set up De Lie in Le Samyn at all."

"Sorry, but he is too good a rider to ride those kinds of races at this time of the year. His crash there was just bad luck. Le Samyn is not a less safe course than any other. Only the timing is completely wrong. If you ride the Omloop het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and start in Paris-Nice eight days later, you should not ride a race on Tuesday in between. Then there is not enough time for sufficient rest and quality training. Why not ride the Omloop and Kuurne? Kuurne is a bigger race than Le Samyn and you then have six days until Paris-Nice."

Van Hooydonck suspects that it has to do with the main sponsor. "I'm sure Lotto Dstny employs enough sensible team leaders to put together a smart program, but apparently the main sponsor still has a little too much say in terms of performance. Le Samyn belongs to the Lotto Cycling Cup and will undoubtedly be an important race for the Lottery. But then send Victor Campenaerts as leader."

"It must be possible to sell to the sponsor that a De Lie podium in the Tour of Flanders has more publicity value than a participation in Le Samyn. And that those two can really get in each other's way. I know that Lotto Dstny pampers De Lie in every possible way, and rightly so as far as I'm concerned. But that also means not making any concessions on his program," the former professional concluded.