Winner of the 40th Tro Bro Leon, this Sunday, after winning third place in the Grand Prix du Morbihan, Saturday, Arnaud De Lie confirmed his return to the forefront, after his victory at the Famenne Ardenne Classic, on April 28. And how. At the end of a race marked by bad luck, the 22-year-old Belgian was the strongest, by far.
Arnaud De Lie radiant after his victory on Tro Bro Léon: “There was no point in getting angry”
Four punctures in 70 kilometers: “I didn’t even know where I was in the race anymore”
If he loves the Breton Paris-Roubaix (4th in 2022, 2nd in 2023) and its famous ribinou (29 agricultural paths for a total of 34.6 km), Arnaud De Lie was not spared by punctures. He first experienced one 70 kilometers from the finish, forcing his teammates to pursue. Then he changed bikes, after another (double) puncture. Once back in the group of favorites, he… punctured again, 30 kilometers from the finish. But his team was huge and brought him back to the front once again.
”After my first puncture, I didn't even know where I was in the raceexplains De Lie, Then I had a front and rear puncture at the same time. Tubeless (sealing product) repaired it a little but I still had to change bikes.” Which allowed him to attack for the first time in the countryside of… the farm (you can't make this up for a farmer's son). “This sector suits me really well and it allowed me to make a small selection. But in the process, I had another puncture. But even though we did a lot of racing behind, it was a big Lotto Dstny today. My teammates brought me back every time. Collectively, it was really strong.”
Unfailing calm: “A month ago, I would have stopped racing”
The team performance obviously gives great pleasure to Stéphane Heulot, the CEO of the Belgian team, who was exceptionally present in the car (on the radio) this Sunday. But it was above all the calm of De Lie and company that impressed. “I am very proud of the group. We lost the race ten times but in the end; we won it. However, I can tell you that during the last puncture, in the only sector which was not covered by assistants, it was morally difficult for Arnaud, explains the Frenchman. At one point, he was close to throwing the bike into the ditch. He was fed up and I can understand that. But this is where we see that he has gained in maturity: he understood that he could not leave the race given the work done by his friends.”
After the last puncture, Arnaud almost threw his bike into the ditch.
The main person concerned admits: “A month ago, I think I would have stopped racing”. But since then, a lot has changed. “I worked a lot on staying calm. When everything goes wrong, we tend to lose a lot of energy and even if Stéphane (Heulot) thought I was getting angry, I tried to remain as calm as possible. It paid off.”
At the end of the race, after another impressive effort in the hills of the farm (“for show and to race”), which coincided with the formation of a solid trio with Riley Sheehan (Israel – Premier Tech) and Pierre Gautherat (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Arnaud De Lie did not try to force things either. “There were still teammates behind so I remained calm until the sprint. With last year's experience (Editor's note: it had been brought up on the wire by Nizzolo), I knew that I must not be too quickly in front. And once I started my sprint, I immediately felt that I still had good legs.”
Phenomenal legs: “I have rarely had such sensations”
These good legs were obviously essential to win (ahead of Venturini and Gautherat) at the end of a race which was fascinating from start to finish, due to its disjointed scenario. “Today I was phenomenalindicated a radiant Arnaud De Lie as he descended from the podium. I have rarely had sensations like this. As they say in the jargon: I reeked of strength.”
Enough to give a new boost of confidence to the one who remains on three podiums in a row since his resumption. The irrefutable proof of a return to form. “The condition is coming back and I am very happy to have won this race which was close to my heart.”
This is obviously an excellent omen with the Circuit de Wallonie, Thursday (May 9). “But I'm not yet convinced that he should go given the efforts made over the last two days”, admits Stéphane Heulot. A meeting will take place to this effect, this Monday, like every week. It will also serve to define the contours of the rest of Arnaud De Lie's program. And we are heading towards a return to the initial plan, namely the Tour de Suisse in preparation for the first Tour de France du Taureau de Lescheret.
Arnaud De Lie has regained confidence and motivation: “I still want to go to the Tour de France”
“In my opinion, this is an ideal approach, finishes Heulot. IThere will also be the Belgian championship, for which Arnaud is very motivated. But it's only the beginning of May and all that is still a long way off. We will move forward and make regular points. But little by little, we are getting back on track as we had planned during the winter and it is clear that the whole team is delighted with this return to the forefront.” Which is as good for the head as for the legs of Arnaud De Lie.
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