Lotto take decisive action following Arnaud De Lie’s poor start to 2025: “Arnaud is a winner, that’s not nice”

Arnaud De Lie was expected to light up the early months of the 2025 season, but instead, the young Belgian star has found himself battling poor form, mental fatigue, and now, significant changes within his support team. With results well below expectations, Lotto have taken decisive action, ending De Lie’s collaboration with his personal trainer Gaëtan Bille in a bid to reset the rider’s trajectory.

Once hailed as Belgium’s next Classics king, De Lie’s underwhelming performances so far this spring have prompted concern. Despite flashes of promise in 2024, including a Belgian national title and a solid Tour de France debut, 2025 has started in stark contrast, with missed opportunities and mounting pressure.

At the start of the year, De Lie announced a new partnership with Bille, a former Lotto rider himself from 2012 and 2013, and someone who had previously been both a training partner and a close friend. The collaboration promised familiarity, trust, and a tailored approach. But as results failed to materialise, Lotto decided it was time to intervene.

The decision to end the partnership suggests the team sees a need to reassert control and recalibrate De Lie’s preparations. Sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer acknowledged the difficulties the rider is facing (both physically and mentally) and admitted there are still more questions than answers.

“It wasn’t good in Nokere Koerse, so you can’t ride around with confidence in the races after that either,” Van de Wouwer said, following another disappointing showing at Gent Wevelgem. “It’s clear that Arnaud is not in his normal state and isn’t achieving his normal values. That weighs on him, also mentally. Arnaud is a winner, that’s not nice.”

The most concerning part of De Lie’s struggles may be the lack of a clear explanation. “Last year we were able to put our finger on it, now we are a bit in the dark about what the reason is,” Van de Wouwer admitted. “We did do blood tests and other research, but nothing specific came out of it. That doesn't worry me. We know what kind of talent he is.”

While physical issues appear to have been ruled out for now, the mental toll of not performing to his usual standard is evident. Confidence, so often a driving force for De Lie’s explosive racing style, has taken a hit.

With no immediate solution and performances not reflecting his true potential, Lotto has opted for a reset. De Lie will be taken out of competition for a period to regroup and rebuild away from the spotlight.

“Last year we were in the same situation here, we were also a bit down in the dumps,” Van de Wouwer recalled. “Afterwards he immediately won his first race, he became Belgian champion and rode a good Tour de France. I want to sign for that right now.”

The team’s decision is clearly not a punishment but a strategic pause, designed to help their young leader recover and return to form. “That is why it is interesting to take him out of competition and let him reset for what is to come,” Van de Wouwer said. “There are still some great races coming up. The Belgian Championship is a goal again, the Tour too. That talent is not gone. We have to give him time to recharge. Then he will be the Arnaud we know again.”

Let’s hope, for De Lie and Lotto’s sake, that this is the right decision. He is undoubtedly a superstar in the making, but he certainly has not been at his best so far this spring. Will this change help to fix that?