Arnaud De Lie still suffering from illness and uncertainty: 'My body is my instrument'

Since De Lie turned pro in 2022, he has consistently ranked among the top fifteen in the UCI rankings. But in 2026, he hit an all-time low: because of illness and other setbacks, he has slipped all the way down to 111th place. Both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France were cut short for the unfortunate rider after just the first few days.

But he doesn't want to call it a truly disastrous year. "Let's just say it's been a year with many low points and few high points, but I want to stay positive," he told La Dernière Heure. "I've had a year that can help me build toward the future. All the twists and turns of the past few months have also given me plenty of time to reflect.”

He explained his DNFs in the Giro and the Tour. “Of course, it’s hard to accept that you have to drop out after just three or four days because of illness. When I left the Giro, 90% of the riders in the peloton were sick, too. In the Tour, things didn’t go the way I wanted. Why? I think I wanted to come back too quickly. I’d trained too hard, and that took its toll. It’s never a good idea to chase the clock.”

The illness during the Giro d'Italia was reportedly caused by cow dung at the Famenne Ardenne Classic, which De Lie won. But the sprinter has been struggling with physical ailments for some time now. For example, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2024. He has been battling it for the past few years, and still doesn’t know how to deal with it.

"I'm hearing all kinds of conflicting information about this disease," says a disappointed De Lie. "There are countless specialists, but few who have truly specialised in it. Right now, I have absolutely no idea whether my body is experiencing side effects. What is certain is that I have contracted this terrible disease, and since I’m not an average person, I can’t take any medication.”

Because as a professional cyclist, you have to be very careful about what you consume. “My body is my instrument. As I said, I’m feeling really good right now, and I’m convinced that if I can overcome these setbacks, I’ll achieve even better results. Nevertheless, my health remains my top priority.”

De Lie left Lotto-Intermarché after six years. The partnership yielded him 35 professional victories, including a Belgian national title, the Bretagne Classic, the general classification of the Renewi Tour, and the GP Québec. Still, it had been on the horizon for some time that De Lie would leave the team. He had known for quite a while that his time with the Belgian team was coming to an end.

"It was a well-considered decision, but even before the Giro, in mid-May, I had already decided on my future," he says. A new environment should take him to the next level. “They say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Personally, I believe it’s important to cultivate it yourself. In fact, I feel the need to take on new challenges.”