5 Belgians, 1 German, 1 Frenchman and 1 Dutchman walk into a bar... Lotto Intermarché's TdF team has 1 goal

Lotto-Intermarché is the next team to announce its team for the Tour de France. The Belgian merger team has only one goal in the Tour de France: to win a stage. To achieve it, it is counting on five Belgians, one Frenchman, one experienced German, and a Dutch rider on debut.

"Experience mixed with a handful of firsts"—that’s how Lotto-Intermarché describes its team. Or, as they put it: "A mix of powerhouse riders and aggressive climbers. Five Belgians, one Dutchman, one Frenchman, and one German. That’s the formula Intermarché-Lotto is bringing to the Grand Départ in Barcelona. This year, the team is fielding an exceptionally versatile squad in top form, with a strong hunger for stage victories.”

Who is the Belgian team counting on? First and foremost, Arnaud De Lie, for the sprints. “He impressed last month in the Tour de Wallonie and, after having to end the Giro d’Italia early due to illness, has logged numerous training kilometers in recent weeks,” according to Lotto-Intermarché.

Jenno Berckmoes and rookie Huub Artz will both play a role in the sprint train. However: “Team captain Berckmoes proved his excellent form and sprinting skills in the Baloise Belgium Tour, but he’ll also have his own opportunities to shine in this Tour de France. Starting as early as Stage 2, because the stage between Tarragona and Barcelona is tailor-made for him.'

For Artz, who impressively won the Dutch National Time Trial Championship last week, this will be his debut in the Tour de France. Also on the team: team leader Lennert Van Eetvelt. “After the team time trial that kicks off this Tour, he’ll be in action almost immediately in Stage 2, but Stage 6, from Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre, is also right up his alley.”

The Belgian is joined by, among others, Lars Craps, Georg Zimmermann, Liam Slock, and finally Baptiste Veistroffer. According to his team, the latter can now call himself “the French version of breakaway king Thomas De Gendt.”

Sports manager Kurt Van de Wouwer knows exactly what his team is here for. “While previous editions invariably got off to a nervous and chaotic start, this year—with climbs right from the start—things will turn out differently, and that’s good news for Lennert Van Eetvelt, for example. De Lie’s first opportunity won’t come until Stage 5. He’ll have strong riders around him, and we believe in him.”

"We're fielding a very young team, with every single rider under thirty. At the same time, you see that Zimmermann, for example, is already starting his sixth Tour. This is an interesting team, with powerhouse riders like Baptiste, Lars, and Liam. These are riders who can hold their own in the Tour, which is getting faster and tougher all the time, and where even seemingly straightforward transition stages provide plenty of excitement. We won’t be trying to do two things at once this year. We have no general classification ambitions; we’re going for stage wins and strong stage results,” said Van de Wouwer.

General Manager Jean-François Bourlart adds: “I am thrilled with the team we are fielding for this 113th Tour de France. It is the most important race of the year—not only for our main partner, the National Lottery, but especially for our French title sponsor, Intermarché. We are therefore very pleased that our riders will once again be wearing the Intermarché-Lotto jersey.”

"Putting together a roster isn't easy; every year, the decision is a tough one, but we believe we're sending the riders in top form to Barcelona. Liam Slock has made tremendous progress in recent weeks, Lars Craps had a great Dauphiné… Baptiste Veistroffer may seem like a surprise, but the Frenchman will be a key player. We’re completely ready,” said Bourlart.