"If he improves he will continue to win all the races" - Arnaud De Lie on battle with Tadej Pogacar and the big goal for 2025

Arnaud De Lie has been steadily growing in the peloton. Whilst he started off as a quality sprinter he has been proving himself to be more and more of a classics specialist. In 2025 he aims high for the cobbled classics, and he also talks about a duel he's had with Tadej Pogacar earlier this year.

"Good and bad things have happened, but I think it has been a good season for me," De Lie shared with Marca. "Without a doubt, the victory at the Belgian championship was a highlight. It is a title that allows you to ride in a very nice shirt all year round. I also look back happily on my debut in the Tour de France".

De Lie definitely had pressure on his shoulders after a superb 2022 and 2023, and the year started off bad which was not easy. But midway through the season he got the rhythm, and the nationals win was impressive taking into consideration he won a sprint in a group with the likes of Jasper Philipsen, Wout van Aert and Tim Merlier in a hilly race.

The Tour de France debut didn't see a major result but he showed good form, and right after he won the Tour of Denmark. The Lotto Dstny rider also won Binche-Chimay-Binche, but perhaps the most impressive victory of his year was the triumph in Geraardsbergen at the Renewi Tour, where he thrived in the very steep and cobbled climbs, followed Tim Wellens and then soared to a popular win. This gives him greater sense that he can perform in the punchy races of Flanders, despite his high weight.

He recalls also the GP de Québec, where he responded to an attack from Tadej Pogacar towards the end. "When Pogacar attacks it becomes clear that it is very difficult to follow him. I am lucky that I am not the same type of rider as him. Pogacar is the best and you need a great day to follow him," he argues. "He has a super level and if he improves he will continue to win all the races. It will remain a surprise and we will see what the coming year brings us".

For 2025, the initial objective is clear: "The goal is to arrive at the Flemish classics in the best possible shape. I hope to be able to ride the first classics in Valencia in a good way, where I will make my debut this year. I hope to arrive in Spain in good shape and to look for my highlight that should come in the spring classics".

Paris-Roubaix specifically is a big goal, perhaps the best suited monument to his abilities, but he knows that it will also require a lot of planning and tactics. "We have to follow Alpecin. They have won for two years in a row now and are the best team in Roubaix. The truth is that it is not that easy to stand behind Van Der Poel. Both Monuments are important, but there are classics such as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad or Gent-Wevelgem that are also nice goals for me," he concludes.