The words are spoken by Arnaud De Lie as he descends from the Tro Bro Leon podium, in phrasing that corresponds well to the character. They almost alone sum up the return to the forefront of the Taureau de Lescheret, who has just scored three podiums in as many races (victory at the Famenne Ardenne Classic, third place at the GP du Morbihan, victory at Tro Bro Leon)after his forced break following Lyme disease. We almost forget that a little over a month ago, the Ardennes player was at rock bottom, both physically and mentally. But the path to resurrection was marked by several important stages.
A new framework which gives it a plus
The first step in Arnaud De Lie's return to form was a change of management. After Ghent-Wevelgem and at the start of his reset period, the 22-year-old runner stopped his collaboration with Jeroen Dingemans, on whose advice he completed a three-week internship at Teide (Tenerife) at the start of the year, before the Nieuwbslad. An approach that did not bear fruit.
Arnaud De Lie was entitled to his… pig after winning the Tro Bro Leon: “To do like in Dikkenek”
On the slopes of the Spanish volcano, the Belgian had swallowed a large volume of training which he had difficulty digesting, as his first disappointing races in Spain proved. However, a bit like Mads Pedersen, Arnaud De Lie is an athlete who needs to run to feel good and build up confidence. In the future, it seems clear that the experiment will no longer be attempted. “It was the first and last time I did this kind of internship”De Lie admitted last week.
The internship at Teide? It was the first and last time.
To replace Dingemans, with whom trust was broken, alongside his leader, the Lotto-Dstny team chose to make him work with someone his protégé knows well: Gaetan Bille. Posturologist for cyclist and trainer, the former professional runner (between 2011 and 2017 and passed through the Lotto Belisol structure in 2012-2013) had already collaborated with De Lie in the past, to advise him, adjust his position on the bike or him provide suitable soles. But, from now on, he accompanies him on a daily basis.
On the advice of his new coach, Arnaud De Lie has also been working for several weeks with Jean-François Lenvain. The man who worked for ten years at Sporting Anderlecht (and who notably created the Purple Talent program) supports many athletes in their progress (Cynthia Bolingo, Zizou Bergs, etc.). In recent years, he has collaborated with several professional cyclists such as Loïc Vliegen (Bingoal WB) or Tom Paquot (Intermarché Wanty).
His role ? Optimize the athlete's potential by focusing on all the human aspects linked to performance. After several sessions with De Lie, the first results have already been felt. “Jean-François taught me in particular to remain calm in all circumstances, such as a fall or a puncture, so as not to lose too much energy”explains De Lie.
Jean-François Lenvain taught me to stay calm.
Advice that he applied perfectly on the Tro Bro Leon. To recharge his batteries before his resumption, the Bull of Lescheret (who experienced the first period of doubt in his young career) also went to training in Nice, alone, for a few days. “Finding myself alone did me good and allowed me to enjoy myself again”does not hide the one who won his 21st and 22nd professional victory in recent days.
The winning return of Arnaud De Lie told by his dad: “I had never seen my son in this state”
A few pounds less
If the mental work was important during the month of April, the physical aspect was not neglected. Since his return to competition, Arnaud De Lie seems slightly thinner. Sharper. “When you are in a good mood, everything goes hand in hand”, indicates Stéphane Heulot, CEO of Lotto Dstny. “Before, Arnaud would sometimes gain weight without really understanding why.”
But now everything seems to fit together better. “He is so talented that he has sometimes managed to perform while neglecting certain aspects of the profession,” explained Gaetan Bille to RTBF a few weeks ago. “But now he pays a lot more attention to certain details and we see a real evolution.” Which results in the return of results. And by the status of big favorite on the Circuit de Wallonie, this Thursday.
