Lotto-Intermarché bids farewell to De Lie: 'He's leaving as one of the biggest names in the peloton'

Arnaud De Lie will no longer ride for Lotto-Intermarché next year. The Belgian sprinter will part ways with the team after five years as a professional. The "Bull of Lescheret" will most likely transfer to the Swiss team Tudor.

As a junior, De Lie was one of the most promising Belgian cyclists, and in 2021 he joined the Lotto Soudal junior team. He had already shown his potential there, but it was during his first full year as a professional in 2022 that he made his breakthrough. He won no fewer than nine races, including the Tour of Limburg and a stage in the Tour of Wallonia.

In the years that followed, he continued to compete at the highest level, with victories at the GP Québec, the Bretagne Classic, and the Renewi Tour. He also became the Belgian road champion in 2024 by beating Jasper Philipsen and Jordi Meeus. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but gradually De Lie began to show signs of weakness. He was often sick, injured, or hopelessly out of shape.

The mental aspect also played a role, something he spoke openly about. By the end of 2025, he had regained his form with six victories in two months, but this year he won only twice: the Famenne Ardenne Classic and a stage in the Tour of Wallonia. He also withdrew early from both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. Meanwhile, rumors continued to swirl: De Lie was said to be leaving Lotto-Intermarché.

The Belgian team has indeed confirmed via X that the extremely talented 24-year-old rider and his employer will part ways after this year. “Thank you, Arnaud De Lie. You joined us as a young rider with big dreams. You’re leaving as one of the biggest names in the peloton—Belgian champion, WorldTour winner, with 35 pro victories already. We’re proud to have witnessed your growth, and even prouder to have been a part of it.”

"This is what Lotto-Intermarché stands for. Before your next adventure begins in 2027, we look forward to adding more achievements and ending on a high note after six years." Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, among others, was interested in De Lie’s services, but in the end, it appears that the Swiss team Tudor—Fabian Cancellara’s team—has come out on top.