ProTeam Arnaud De Lie wins GP Québec with impressive sprint

Arnaud De Lie has taken his first WorldTour victory, by winning the Grand Prix Cycliste Québec in impressive fashion. Despite various attacks in the end, the GP Québec was decided in a group sprint and it was Arnaud De Lie who showed the strongest. On the uphill finish, De Lie was guided to the front by his teammates. ‘Le Taureau’ was forced to launch early but passed everyone with a long, powerful sprint and took the victory in the end. Corbin Strong finished second, Michael Matthews completed the podium. At the age of 21 and making his debut in the race, De Lie immediately wins GP Québec, his 8^th victory of the season.

Before the race, De Lie expressed his ambition and love for GP Québec, but to win is a dream come true, says the 21-year-old Belgian. “As a little boy, I watched the race on television and to win here on my debut and already adding this victory to my palmares is fantastic.”

Lotto Dstny supported his leader perfectly during a hectic race on the city circuit and De Lie impressively finished the team work. “I tried to save as much energy until the final sprint, that was crucial today. As this is only my first time racing GP Québec, I’ve watched the past editions many times and it learned me a lot. We rode the perfect race with the team, but I was a bit far towards the final sprint. Luckily I still had two teammates left who brought me up. I had to launch early and had some work to do but I could take a good speed and held it to the line. To beat riders such as Corbin Strong and Michael Matthews on finishes like these is not easy. So I’m over the moon with this first victory on WorldTour level.”

Whether De Lie can repeat his performance at GP Montréal this Sunday, is difficult to predict, says the Belgian. “The GP Montréal is still a bit harder and Maxim Van Gils should be our main man for the race. But with the shape I’m in, something might be possible, who knows.”

Image: James Startt - GPCQM / Photo News.