Arnaud De Lie shouldn’t be hiding that he’s heading into the 2024 Tour de France with lots to study however the 22-year-old, who simply obtained the arrogance increase of a win on the Belgian Championships, will nonetheless be seeking to see if he can accumulate outcomes together with expertise throughout his debut Grand Tour.
When the Lotto Dstny Tour crew was introduced on Monday, Sports activities Supervisor Kurt Van de Wouwer confirmed that though De Lie and Maxim Van Gils have been the 2 youngest riders named to the squad, they’d be able to capturing stage victories, but additionally identified that there was no stress on the duo – particularly De Lie who has by no means raced at any Grand Tour earlier than.
“It is good to study and we’ll see if it is potential to play for the win,” De Lie mentioned on Wednesday as he mentioned the three weeks that loom forward with media, together with Cyclingnews, in a digital media convention from Florence, Italy. “The plan is to take part, but when it will get too loopy, I would brake. I can particularly study lots right here.
“I believe for the Tour de France you want lots of expertise. The Tour de France is de facto lengthy, three weeks. Additionally for [each] stage, you want the situation, to have good legs on the nice second. So, I don’t know but what I can study, however there’s lots to study at a Grand Tour and I’m actually excited.”
Stage 3 into Turin must be the primary true check for the sprinters, however De Lie wouldn’t reveal his plan for the primary dash anticipated on Monday on the finish of a 230.8km route. As an alternative, he talked about a unique potential path to a crew win – stage 9 with 14 sectors of gravel over the 199km earlier than a quick, flat end in Troyes.
“The stage in Troyes, it’s a good one for me, but it surely additionally has rocks, so we’ll see,” he mentioned. De Lie additionally advised Het Laatste Nieuws lately that stage 8 was to his liking, however {that a} flat dash suited Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). De Lie has carried out effectively in uphill sprints in his quick two-and-a-half yr professional profession, just like the punchy Grand Prix de Quebec which he gained in 2023 and this yr’s hilly Tro-Bro Léon.
The Lotto Dstny rider, nonetheless, admitted there was a bit extra stress than only a one-day Traditional or the latest Belgian championship highway race, nonetheless he has additionally walked away from that occasion with a tri-coloured jersey to offer a lift as he heads into the Tour de France.
“There have been lots of feelings on Sunday. That day was spectacular, however now I realise that I’m Belgian champion,” the 22-year-old mentioned of the second he took one of many greatest dash wins of his profession to this point. “I’ve gained extra self-confidence, which is essential for an athlete. It’s good, so near my first huge Tour.”
Teammate Van Gils, simply 24 himself additionally confronted his first Tour final yr and walked away with second within the mountain stage to Grand Colombier. This yr he confirmed the purpose for the crew was stage wins, and so they weren’t classification jerseys.
“It might be good if I may do one spot higher,” Van Gils mentioned, referring to his stage 13 podium final yr. “I most likely like the primary two phases of the Tour the very best of all the Tour. They aren’t too lengthy, steep climbs, these are the programs that go well with me. Hopefully we are going to go to the end in a bunch after which I may even have a quick dash.
“Stage 18 is sweet. It’s a good alternative for me. Stage 17? The legs will determine.”
Van Gils mentioned he was in good situation and had excessive expectations, regardless of lacking the Belgian championships as a result of sickness.
“For me and different riders, for positive we’d like to win. The purpose for the crew is to take a stage house,” he confirmed.
