ProTeam Arnaud De Lie: ‘I would like to win a big race’

He was the big surprise of the 2022 season. 9 victories in his debut season with the pros: talking about an entrance. But despite Arnaud De Lie’s new status as an internationally known talent, he remains the same cheerful and social young rider that walked into Lotto Dstny’s Development team in 2021.

Arnaud De Lie, what a season 2022 has been. How did you experience all of that?

“It has been a great experience for me. I think having a first season like I did, is just extraordinary. Already in my third race I was able to win. That has given me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. It was a great experience as an athlete and a person and now I am ready for the season that is about to start.”

What have you learned from 2022?

“A lot of things. Watching a race on tv is not necessarily the same as when you live it in reality. In particular I am thinking of Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Gent-Wevelgem now. There I have learned a lot during last season. I have also learned what it really means to live as a professional cyclist. When you are in the U23’s, you have a different idea of what it means to be a professional cyclist. So, the daily life of a cyclist is definitely something I have learned.”

With Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and Gent-Wevelgem you chose two races where you did not get your best results. Why are those the races where you learn the most?

“When you win, it’s fine. But when you lose, you learn. Those two races are very technical races. In Flanders, you need to memorize every corner, cobbled section and hill because something can happen everywhere. Last year, I really experienced this and I learned from it. I have done a recon of both races already, so I am well prepared to take my revenge.”

Has 2022 changed something for you?

“Actually, it has changed my life. I was unknown on an international level before.

But when people speak about cycling in the province of Luxembourg, people think of me now. Before, they would have thought about Maxime Monfort. I also get recognized more in daily life now. But these things have not changed me as a person.”

How did you spend your winter?

“Mostly in Belgium, until the first of January. It was good, without falling ill. I just had a small cold, but it is better to have that in the beginning of training. It was really a nice winter, actually. I have learned a lot again, and am already seeing the results.”

What are your ambitions for 2023?

“I do not necessarily want to win more than in 2022, but I do want to win races of a higher level. I am talking about Gent-Wevelgem and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne a lot: two races I am really looking forward to. But of course all races are important, even more now we are in ProTour. But it is not because of that, that we will change the way we ride. We want to win every race.”

There have been some changes during the winter: new trainers, dietician and a collaboration with the University of Ghent. How do you feel about all those changes?

“We are already seeing the difference. We have done some tests with the University of Ghent. I think it is good that we try to look at every detail. I have learned from Victor Campenaerts as well that every detail counts in professional cycling. It is good that we are developing our nutrition department as well. I think we can improve there too. And I have also switched trainers. I am working with Jeroen Dingemans and I am very positive about the collaboration. I think I have had a winter as I should have and I am very happy about my current form.”

Have you climbed the Poggio already?

“No, I have never climbed the Poggio but I am looking forward to it. The recon is already planned. We will prepare Milano-Sanremo in the best way possible.”

Is Milano-Sanremo a real goal for you? Or are you going there to learn?

“I think it can be both. It can be a real goal. But you have to be in your best condition and have a day where no one can stop you to be able to go over the top with the best riders. After that, you have to do a good descent of the Poggio and hope to still be in the first group when you get down. Then, everything is possible. I think we have seen a lot of surprises after a race of 300 kilometers. We will see what happens, but we will try and do everything we can to have a good collaboration with Caleb Ewan. We both have our goals, but we will not put any pressure on each other. We both have the capacities to get a good result and, why not, win.”

Have you ever ridden the Carrefour de l’Arbre?

“Yes I have, when I was a junior. When I was still young. It is a mythical memory for me, because I was really suffering. But it gave me a lot of joy as well and I hope to return there. Normally this will happen and I will do that with a lot of pleasure.”

You have once explained me that watching a race on tv at your place, is a crazy experience. Can you imagine what it will be like when they are watching the final of Milano-Sanremo or Paris-Roubaix with you in it?

“No, because I am never there when they watch a race of me. It should be filmed maybe, because it will really be something. I should ask my sister to make a short video if it’s the case. And I hope it will be the case.”

We have talked about Milano-Sanremo, Gent-Wevelgem, Kuurne, Paris-Roubaix. But Paris-Nice will be your first WorldTour stage race. What is your goal for that race?

“I think there are possibilities to win a stage. In a sprint everything is possible. I also think we have reinforced our sprint train. With a good sprint train, you do not even have to be the best sprinter to win. The goal will be to win at least one stage. If that happens, it will be very good for the confidence for the rest of the season.”

No grand tours are planned for this season. Why?

“I think I am already taking a next step by participating in Paris-Nice. I don’t want to skip any steps. A grand tour at 21 years of age is too soon. I think I still have enough time to discover a grand tour in 2024, in two years. This way, it is clear in my head. There are also a lot of nice races during the Vuelta, like GP Quebec and GP Plouay. You can’t do both at the same time.”

When will 2023 have been a success?

“When I am able to prove myself in the finals of WorldTour or ProSeries classics like Gent-Wevelgem or Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Or when I win a nice race, like for example the two I have just mentioned.”

Images: Photo News. Video: Facepeeters.