"There are three great opportunities for him in the opening week": Arnaud De Lie to make his Giro d'Italia debut with the Maglia Rosa in sight

While the spring classics officially close with Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the second part of the cycling season is already underway, and after a short break following Paris-Roubaix, Arnaud De Lie is ready to return to competition. The Belgian rider will resume racing next weekend before heading to his very first Giro d'Italia. According to Lotto Intermarché's sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer, the powerful Belgian sprinter has a clear plan to build his form towards the Tour de France.

De Lie will line up at the Famenne Ardenne Classic on May 3, a race closely tied to his roots and organized by his formative club. Having won the event in 2023 and 2024, he is eager to reclaim his title after being forced to skip last year's edition due to physical issues.

"We have known Arnaud for many years now, and May is traditionally when he steps up his power," Van de Wouwer explained in words to DH. "As he will also be racing at home on his Luxembourgish lands, I am sure he will be highly motivated for an event that is close to his heart."

Just a week after his home race, De Lie will take the start of the Giro d'Italia, marking his debut in the Italian Grand Tour. The team has specifically targeted the opening week, which kicks off in Bulgaria and features several stage profiles that perfectly suit his explosive sprinting style.

"Several elements motivated this choice," Van de Wouwer continued. "The main one is that there are three great opportunities for him in the opening week, including the very first stage in Bulgaria. Taking the first pink jersey? We're not going to put the pressure of such a goal on his shoulders. The goal is to try to get a win, no matter when."

While many riders aim to complete a Grand Tour, Lotto Intermarché has a very different strategy for De Lie. The plan is for him to use the first portion of the Giro to build his racing rhythm before pulling out to focus entirely on his ultimate summer goal.

"The idea is not for Arnaud to go all the way to Rome, the end of this Tour of Italy, but rather to do a week to ten days of racing before withdrawing," Van de Wouwer detailed. "He needs to race to reach his best level, we know that. And, coming to the second reason for our choice, this program must also bring him in peak condition to the Tour de France."

De Lie, currently taking a short break after having a wisdom tooth removed, is also scheduled to participate in the Tour de Suisse (June 17-21). The Belgian National Championships in Brasschaat (June 28) will be one of his major goals. He might also ride his home race Tour de Wallonie and the Copenhagen Sprint, but that is not clear yet, and a decision will be made in the next weeks.