Lotto in trouble - After Red Bull, Quick-Step also looking to sign Arnaud de Lie... And Lennert van Eetvelt

We are in the heart of the spring classics currently, however behind the scenes the agents and teams are working towards the 2027 season already. The top teams are putting in efforts as early as possible so as to try and secure their priority deals quickly. Arnaud de Lie is a heavily disputed rider with interest from several teams being revealed. He and Lennert van Eetvelt of Lotto - Intermarché are targets for Soudal - Quick-Step.

Previously, Het Laatste Nieuws had reported that De Lie was a target for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. This comes as little surprise taking into consideration the Belgian is in contract year, whilst his abilities in sprinting and the classics make him an attractive leader for virtually every team. The Lotto team have developed him and guided for the early years of his career, however it is no secret that keeping him onboard will be a tough battle.

Aside from the German team, Soudal - Quick-Step is also strongly in the battle for his signing according to the Belgian news outlet. Despite having a career that thus far has been plagued by several illnesses and injuries, the Belgian already has 33 wins at the age of 24, including several World Tour triumphs not only in sprint races but also GC wins at races such as the Tour of Denmark; and the 2025 Renewi Tour where he beat none other than Mathieu van der Poel. His current salary is of around €2 million according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

Meanwhile the team has its other main leader Lennert van Eetvelt also ending his contract this year, putting it in further difficulty to maintain its block. Van Eetvelt is also said to have the interest of Soudal - Quick-Step, but also of NSN Cycling Team. In this circumstance however, he would be more inclined to join the team of his compatriots, who have in recent years improved significantly its climbing block after the rise of Remco Evenepoel - whose departure now provides the other climbers with more freedom.