Arnaud De Lie will not be hiding that he’s heading into the 2024 Tour de France with so much to be taught however the 22-year-old, who simply obtained the arrogance increase of a win on the Belgian Championships, will nonetheless be seeking to see if he can accumulate outcomes together with expertise throughout his debut Grand Tour.
When the Lotto Dstny Tour staff was introduced on Monday, Sports Manager Kurt Van de Wouwer confirmed that though De Lie and Maxim Van Gils had been the 2 youngest riders named to the squad, they’d be able to capturing stage victories, but in addition identified that there was no strain on the duo – particularly De Lie who has by no means raced at any Grand Tour earlier than.
“It’s good to be taught and we’ll see if it is doable to play for the win,” De Lie mentioned on Wednesday as he mentioned the three weeks that loom forward with media, together with Cyclingnews, in a digital media convention from Florence, Italy. “The plan is to take part, but when it will get too loopy, I would brake. I can particularly be taught so much right here.
“I believe for the Tour de France you want loads of expertise. The Tour de France is de facto lengthy, three weeks. Also for [each] stage, you want the situation, to have good legs on the great second. So, I don’t know but what I can be taught, however there’s so much to be taught at a Grand Tour and I’m actually excited.”
Stage 3 into Turin needs to be the primary true take a look at for the sprinters, however De Lie wouldn’t reveal his plan for the primary dash anticipated on Monday on the finish of a 230.8km route. Instead, he talked about a special doable path to a staff win – stage 9 with 14 sectors of gravel over the 199km earlier than a quick, flat end in Troyes.
“The stage in Troyes, it’s a good one for me, nevertheless it additionally has rocks, so we’ll see,” he mentioned. De Lie additionally advised Het Laatste Nieuws not too long ago that stage 8 was to his liking, however {that a} flat dash suited Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck). De Lie has carried out properly in uphill sprints in his brief two-and-a-half yr professional profession, just like the punchy Grand Prix de Quebec which he received in 2023 and this yr’s hilly Tro-Bro Léon.
The Lotto Dstny rider, nonetheless, admitted there was a bit extra stress than only a one-day Classic or the current Belgian championship street race, nonetheless he has additionally walked away from that occasion with a tri-coloured jersey to supply a lift as he heads into the Tour de France.
“There had been loads of feelings on Sunday. That day was spectacular, however now I realise that I’m Belgian champion,” the 22-year-old mentioned of the second he took one of many greatest dash wins of his profession to this point. “I’ve gained extra self-confidence, which is essential for an athlete. It is sweet, so near my first large Tour.”
Teammate Van Gils, simply 24 himself additionally confronted his first Tour final yr and walked away with second within the mountain stage to Grand Colombier. This yr he confirmed the objective for the staff was stage wins, they usually weren’t classification jerseys.
“It could be good if I may do one spot higher,” Van Gils mentioned, referring to his stage 13 podium final yr. “I in all probability like the primary two levels of the Tour the very best of the whole Tour. They usually are not too lengthy, steep climbs, these are the programs that swimsuit me. Hopefully we’ll go to the end in a gaggle after which I can even have a quick dash.
“Stage 18 is sweet. It is an effective alternative for me. Stage 17? The legs will determine.”
Van Gils mentioned he was in good situation and had excessive expectations, regardless of lacking the Belgian championships attributable to sickness.
“For me and different riders, for certain we’d like to win. The objective for the staff is to take a stage dwelling,” he confirmed.
