“Cycling is about getting results, and apart from Brent’s
boost, we didn’t succeed,” Maes admitted. “But we have to dare to look at the
circumstances. We were unlucky twice at the worst possible moment.”
A tough opening weekend
“In the Omloop, Arnaud first broke a spoke, we had a hard
time getting that wheel out and already lost a lot of time. But not much later
he kicked off his chain on his new bike. Result: another new bike, but then we
were really far behind in the most important zone of the race.
"He did get back
to the front later, but if you already make an effort for fifteen minutes
before the real efforts have to be made, you pay for it in the final. The best
was already gone by then, but he did let it go on a part that he shouldn't
have.”
“Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne was a very paralysed race, with
little tension. We played the Lionel Taminiaux card, with a free role for
Steffen De Schuyteneer, but I think they miscalculated a bit. They assumed that
they could still get through on the left, which didn't happen anymore and then
we didn't win a prize.”
The 22 year old was hoping for more due to his superb record
at such a young age. Remember, he has already finished second at Omloop Het
Nieuwsblad in 2023, and won the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec that year too.
“As for Le Samyn, we had everything under control for a long
time, until Steffen De Schuyteneer fell. At the moment we were helping him, we
received a message that we were unlucky again. Apparently Brent had been
pushed, which forced him to swerve to the right and hit Arnaud's rear wheel.
"Result: both wheels broken and we were nowhere near. Arnaud was still able to
fight back, but the sprint did not go smoothly. He would not have won, but a
podium was possible and certainly a top 5.”
“We are talking about two races, right? If we see that
happen six times in a row, then we have to ask ourselves if there is something
wrong with his karma. The cause was always clear: there was a collision in
front of him twice. In addition, there were generally a lot of crashes. Without
wind and rain, you get easy races and there are many more riders present in the
final. That in turn leads to more stress and crashes. It was not an isolated
case.”
Does it frustrate De Lie? According to his boss, “A little
bit, but he does give a serene and calm impression. I think he learned from
last spring that it is not always logical that everything works out and happens
automatically.
"That was the big lesson he learned from that whole failed
spring. Bad luck can happen, but you have to stay calm. He is fine and
physically able to do what he has to do. Two chances are gone, but from Nokere
Koerse and Milan-San Remo there will be new chances to perform.”
Arnaud de Lie is one of the most exciting Belgian prospects
“We are still a bit hungry in terms of pure performances. He
is okay, but I don't think he is at his best yet. That doesn't mean that more
was not possible. If he could just follow in the Omloop, he would be in the big
peloton and he could sprint for a place of honour. Where he would have ended
up, I dare not say. But he would have performed twice with a more than
sufficient grade. Now you have those question marks, but the confidence with
Arnaud and the team is intact. That is important for the next appointments.”
“It was expected that he would be in very good shape from
the Omloop. But he suffered from a knee injury during the preparation due to a
fall, which has lost him something. There was also talk of a little bit of
illness after the Etoile de Bessèges.
"But still, in principle there were no
signs that he would not be okay. It is not an exact science either. He has done
everything he can to be good, and we will see what else can be added in the
next two weeks. He will now work well in Spain.”
“Gent-Wevelgem is a very important appointment. And also
Across Flanders. But if he is really in shape, he can also ride very well in
the Tour of Flanders. Of course, the cards have to fall into place, but he can
ride in the top 5 there. But anyway: condition number one is to be one hundred
percent in shape and not have any bad luck.”
“Arjen Livyns did a very good job. He was very good in the
race both on Saturday and Sunday. Arjen is a smart rider who can read the race.
On Saturday he was able to follow the better riders at the toughest moments on
the Berendries, and he still rode a good sprint.
"On Sunday he tried to go after
Wellens on the Côte de Trieu. That shows the good mentality and confirms his
good feeling.”
“Look, in principle our biggest toppers are Arnaud and
Lennert Van Eetvelt. But Alec Segaert is fine and can become that in the
future. Jenno Berckmoes is still injured, but hopefully he will be back in the
spring. There is still a lot of potential there.
"I see all the other riders
evolving more towards a free role and excellent helpers. When Arnaud is one
hundred percent fine, they can drop him off well and make sure he can win the
race. That is the most important thing.”