Lotto-Intermarché facing major roster crisis: After De Lie and Van Eetvelt, another leader is set to leave

Lotto-Intermarché is facing another significant blow to its sporting project, with several key riders expected to leave at the end of the season. After already losing a number of important names following the merger between Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty last winter, the Belgian team is now set to part ways with Arnaud De Lie, Lennert Van Eetvelt and German champion Georg Zimmermann. While the departures of De Lie and Van Eetvelt have reportedly been finalized for some time, Zimmermann also appears increasingly likely to seek a new challenge with another WorldTour team.

According to multiple sources cited by WielerFlits, De Lie will join Tudor Pro Cycling after the season. The Swiss team, backed by a substantial budget, reportedly presented an offer that Lotto-Intermarché was unable to match.

Van Eetvelt is also set to leave, having agreed a three-year contract with NSN Cycling. The Belgian climber is expected to join the Swiss-based team alongside Santiago Buitrago.

Liam Slock, who won GP Gippingen in bizarre fashion, is another rider expected to leave the organisation. With his contract expiring, he is reportedly set to follow Alec Segaert and several staff members to Bahrain Victorious.

Zimmermann is also expected to depart after six seasons with the organisation. The 28-year-old has developed into one of the team's most reliable attacking riders and is believed to be seeking the next step in his career.

Lidl-Trek and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe are reportedly among the teams interested in signing him. A move to Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe would represent a return to familiar surroundings, as Zimmermann raced for Auto Eder Bayern as a junior (in 2014 and 2015), a development team now linked to the German WorldTour squad.

Tudor Pro Cycling has also been linked with the German champion, although the team's roster is believed to be close to full.

The departures continue a trend that began after the merger, which already saw riders such as Biniam Girmay, Louis Barré, Laurenz Rex and Gerben Thijssen move elsewhere.

Despite the outgoing traffic, Lotto-Intermarché is already working on reinforcements. Mauri Vansevenant is expected to arrive from Soudal Quick-Step, while the signing of Stan Dewulf from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale appears close to completion.

The team is also looking toward its development structure, with Milan Donie set to move up to the professional ranks. Lotto-Intermarché would also like to promote Mauro Cuylits, Niels Driesen and Kamiel Eeman, although interest from rival teams could complicate those plans.