Arnaud De Lie wants to dominate now that he is big leader: "It gives confidence that I broke Strava records"

Arnaud De Lie is eager to kick off his season in Murcia and Almeria in style. The 21-year-old Belgian has already claimed victory in nineteen races during his first two seasons with Lotto-Dstny. As announced during his team's media day, he may now step up to the big races as a leader in 2024. On the eve of his first two races of the new season, De Lie held a press conference, with IDLProCycling.com in attendance.

De Lie appears sharp as he takes his seat in front of the press. After spending three weeks at altitude in Tenerife, he is ready to hit the ground running in 2024. "We worked well and had a great time. Last year, we found altitude training in Livigno beneficial, and I hope for similar results this time around. The Tour of Murcia and Clasica de Almeria suit me, so I opted to delay my start by three weeks to ensure I begin in peak condition."

De Lie began his preparations in December in Belgium, incorporating some mountain biking and road training. He then joined Victor Campenaerts for two weeks of training in Malaga, staying in a comfortable room at his teammate's house. Following training camps in Spain and Tenerife, he took the next step in his winter preparations. "It was more relaxed, but we still put in a lot of cycling. Breaking Strava records during training is encouraging, but training sessions are not races. I have confidence for the start of my season, but breaking records doesn't guarantee success on race day."

De Lie wants to win a (semi) classic

"The numbers are impressive at the moment," De Lie declares, leaving no doubt about his excellent form. "I'm eagerly anticipating it. Training is enjoyable, but racing is a different experience. The adrenaline kicks in during the race. Being the leader now adds a new dimension compared to previous years. That's why we opted for a later start, ensuring my peak performance comes after the classics. We believe it's the right strategy. My first peak is in two weeks at the Omloop, but I'm already feeling strong. I believe I can win a semi-classic. I aim to secure victory in at least one Flemish classic and replicate my success from Quebec last year. I aspire to compete in the major races—not necessarily aiming for victory every time, but being in contention during the final stages is important for me."