It's been a difficult couple of years for Lotto-Intermarché's Arnaud De Lie, and the run of bad luck that has afflicted the 24-year-old Wallonian continues with the news that his long-awaited debut at the Tour of Flanders will once again be delayed following an illness.
The team confirmed earlier today on social media that the illness that saw De Lie withdraw from Dwars door Vlaanderen has led to him not being fully fit still so unable to take on the demands of the second Monument of the season, which begins in Antwerp on Sunday.
De Lie already passed on Milan-San Remo to ensure his fitness for the Cobbled Classics, so this is a further blow for the rider who suffered a premature end to his spring campaigns in both 2024 and 2025 through various physical issues.
It's particularly disappointing as prior to this illness, De Lie looked to be regaining his form, finishing fourth at In Flanders Fields, a promising result to add to his good showings at both the Volta ao Algarve and Tirreno-Adriatico.
All this followed a winter in which his training was hampered following an ankle injury sustained in a domestic incident - but just as he has so many times before, the young Belgian bounced back, and looked to be ready to take on his first tilt at De Ronde.
Though the news will come as a disappointment to fans of Lotto-Intermarché and the rider himself, the team suggests that De Lie should be present at Paris-Roubaix in a week's time. He has ridden the Hell of the North before, in 2023, when he finished 50th following a day of bad luck that included two punctures, ruling him out of the running for a decent placement.
Lotto-Intermarche announced their squad for Sunday's Tour of Flanders following the confirmation of De Lie's absence. It features: Toon Aerts, Jonas Rutsch, Sébastian Grignard, Jenno Berckmoes, Cedric Beullens, Vito Braet and Luca van Boven.
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Arnaud De Lie will not race Tour of Flanders. He was forced to abandon Dwars door Vlaanderen last Wednesday due to illness. Although he did recon of the course this morning together with his coach, it became clear to Arnaud that he has not recovered sufficiently to compete at… pic.twitter.com/w25kvCEzMBApril 3, 2026
