ProTeam Arnaud De Lie ready for Omloop: “It’s a Flemish race, so many factors come into play”
No two without three, as he says himself. And so, after two successful editions, Arnaud De Lie is lining up for the third time at the start of the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Last season, he finished a strong tenth, after coming in second in his debut. The opening classic is a race that suits the Bull of Lescheret. Yet, the first race on Flemish soil always remains an exciting unknown: “It’s the first for everyone,” De Lie reflects. “You feel the tension and nervousness in the peloton, along the roadside… You never really know in advance how this race will unfold.”
On Thursday, Lotto Cycling Team went on a recon ride through the Flemish Ardennes. Team leader De Lie, accompanied by the rest of the squad, including Arjen Livyns, Brent Van Moer, Sébastien Grignard, Lionel Taminiaux, Jasper De Buyst, and Cedric Beullens, rode the final 85 kilometers. “I have the impression that it’s slightly tougher than last year,” says De Lie. “The Eikenberg is back, there’s a small change after the Wolvenberg, and there are three adjustments in the finale. I don’t think those last ones will change the race, but such a reconnaissance is perfect for spotting the small details.”
“It will come down to positioning,” predicts De Lie. “On the Eikenberg, it’s crucial to be well-placed because that’s where the race can split. If you enter the climb in 50th position, you know it’s going to be tough. At the top, you turn right, and if there’s even a bit of crosswind, it can really hurt. Then comes a fast descent towards the Wolvenberg, where it’s always full gas. That entire section is demanding. The key will be to stay calm. You can lose the race there. Even after that, it’s still a long way to the finish. It is and remains a true Flemish race, with so many factors playing a role.”
In other words, he’s looking forward to what’s to come. “The Omloop suits me. The short climbs, three-minute efforts, the Muur… By now, I know them inside out. I think it’s the first Flemish climb I got to know as a child. It has always remained my favorite climb.”
As for the allergy that troubled him last week in the Algarve, De Lie has almost no issues anymore. “Since returning to Belgium, my nose feels much clearer. I really struggled with it in Portugal—no idea which plant or tree caused it, but it was annoying. Apart from that, I came back from the Algarve with a good feeling. My season preparation was different, with training in Spain, race rhythm in Bessèges, Almería, and Algarve. I feel ready for the Flemish races now.”
Picture: Brecht Steenhouwer
