On van der Poel’s wheel, De Lie rode the fastest Muur ever: "Losing to Mathieu Van der Poel is no disgrace"

In Van der Poel's slipstream, De Lie had a tough time at times, very tough. But he had enough left in the tank to fight for victory in Geraardsbergen. “A victory is always better, of course, but I was up against two champions, two big engines... ” the Belgian realized on his team's website. “I went all out in the last lap. My heart rate was through the roof.” At the foot of the Muur, De Lie stayed well ahead of Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates - XRG), although he did have to let Van der Poel pass.

The former Belgian champion made it a long sprint. "Nikolas (Maes, team director, ed.) told me through my earpiece that I had to start thinking about my sprint. I knew I had to stay calm until the first time up the Muur. I tried to make it difficult for the other two and play it smart, but I just didn’t have the freshness left to do that. I was completely spent, but losing to Mathieu Van der Poel is no disgrace.“

Van der Poel accelerated enormously on the final passage of the Muur van Geraardsbergen, leaving everyone behind except De Lie. The 23-year-old Belgian managed to stay on the wheel of the three-time winner of the Tour of Flanders. De Lie's Strava data shows just how fast he was: the record set by Kaden Groves and Jenno Berckmoes, which had stood since last year's Brussels Cycling Classics, was broken by four seconds. Wellens was one second slower than the two rivals.

This is De Lie's second second place in this Renewi Tour: he was also the runner-up in the first stage. That has earned him the leader's jersey. “The goal today was to jump for the win, and I did that. In the end, I was too far back, I realize that. But against Mathieu Van der Poel, it’s always difficult. This was the maximum achievable. The good feeling after the Tour is still there, my legs feel great, and I rode a beautiful race.”

With a one-second lead over Van der Poel, De Lie enters the final two days. “Since the first stage, I’ve genuinely felt good. One second isn’t much, but it could be enough. There are still two tough stages to come. Tomorrow and in Leuven, I need to pick up some bonus seconds. I know Sunday’s course- it’s really tough- but we’ll do everything we can to defend that jersey.”