"I think we've seen enough surprises after a race of 300 kilometers" - Arnaud De Lie blinks at Milano-Sanremo hunt

Arnaud De Lie is breaking through the pro calendar. As he aims towards more and more prestigious races he continues his winning ways, and this spring will be a massive test for the Belgian sprinter who has Milano-Sanremo as a race he is touted to perform in.

“It can be a real goal, but then you have to be at your very best. The reconnaissance is already planned: we will prepare Milano-Sanremo as best we can," De Lie admitted in a press release from the team. “You have to have a day when no one can stop you from coming over the top with the best. After that you need a good descent of the Poggio and you have to hope that you are still with the first group down below. After that, anything is possible. I think we've seen enough surprises after a race of 300 kilometers."

De Lie was no initially planned to ride the Italian monument, but has been added after a stupendous start to the season where he won the hilly Clasica Comunitat Valenciana, as well as two hilly stages at the Etoile de Bessèges. This type of race seems to suit the Lotto Dstny rider perfectly, who has also seen Omloop Het Nieuwsblad added to his schedule, as the team also look to provide him with the experience in this type of field.

De Lie will be a second option, adding to Caleb Ewan who has on two occasions finished second in Sanremo. “We don't put pressure on each other, but we both have our goals. We both have the capabilities to get a good result and, why not, win," De Lie describes his relation with the 'pocket rocket'.

Despite having lost World Tour status, that has in no way changed De Lie's plans for the season, as the team focuses on the classics. No Grand Tours are in his plan, with stage and race wins being his major goal. “I do not necessarily have to win more than in 2022, but I would like to win a major race," he admits however. 

I talk a lot about Gent-Wevelgem or Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. That I look forward to. But at the same time all races are important, especially now that we are riding in the ProTour," De Lie continues. At the time being, the 20-year old sits in fifth place at the UCI World rankings and is by far the Belgian team's biggest scorer, as it looks to regain a World Tour position into 2026.

De Lie has a bright future ahead certainly, however he is still taking steps in his development. This year he will clash with the highest-rated sprinters and riders of his kind on multiple occasions, and that will be a true test to his development which has seen him win nine races in his neo-pro year.

“By riding Paris-Nice I'm already taking the next step in my development and I don't want to skip any steps. In 2024 I still have enough time to discover a grand tour. Moreover, there are plenty of other great races during the Vuelta, such as the GP Québec and the GP Plouay," De Lie concluded.