"I hope we can play with the laws of physics"

October 3 ^rd 2024 - 14:05

Arnaud De Lie has been the talk of the town in Belgium and beyond ever since he burst onto the scene with a whopping nine victories in his neo-pro season at the tender age of 20. The Walloon rider has risen through the ranks at breakneck speed to become a man to watch in the sprints… and even other race situations. The Lotto Dstny star has the kick and well-rounded profile needed to win the Tro Bro Leon, a race which he added to his account last spring and whose rough-and-tumble terrain reminds him of Paris–Tours, his final goal of the season. On Tuesday, he claimed Binche–Chimay–Binche ahead of Jasper Philipsen, the same man he had already beaten last June at the Belgian national championship, who will be back for a rematch on Sunday. The "Bull of Lescheret" feels confident about his prospects of prevailing once again over the three-time stage winner at the last Tour de France at the end of Avenue de Grammont, but he would also feel comfortable if the rain and the wind were to come into play and open up other scenarios.

 You defeated Jasper Philipsen to win Binche–Chimay–Binche in style last Tuesday. How would you rate your form going into Paris–Tours?

It was a jolt of confidence. I'd been feeling a bit under the weather since the Grand Prix de Wallonie two weeks ago. I was having a hard time shaking it off, so I was quite apprehensive in the run-up to Binche–Chimay–Binche. In the end, I came out on top. It was a morale booster for the last two races on my calendar [he is scheduled to take part in the Sparkassen Münsterland Giro on Thursday]. Paris–Tours is one of my goals. It's a lovely race and, what's more, it has gravel tracks, which I simply adore.

Last spring, you won the Tro Bro Leon, which also uses tracks, the famous ribinoù. Apart from this aspect, do you think these two races have anything in common?

To begin with, it's the same type of effort, lasting for just under a minute and a half. Both are a good fit for a rider like me. To be honest, these two races are almost like two peas in a pod, but Paris–Tours has a more explosive run-in to the finish. It's going to be a tough finale. In the Tro Bro Leon, the peloton often blows up, so it usually comes down to a "mano a mano". And don't forget about the weather. We all know that, in Paris–Tours, echelons are always just a gust or two away. I hope there's some wind so we can play with the laws of physics and force some splits.

The weather forecast is predicting showers for Sunday. This could shake up the race, considering that the last few editions have taken place in dry weather.

Definitely. I've never raced in a wet Paris–Tours before. Nice autumn weather, with wind and rain, can do a lot of damage and turn the race into a suffer fest. It could end up being the Tro Bro Leon revisited, where it's every man for himself. That would be right up my alley.

"If I get to choose, give me a riotous race where it's every man for himself"

You came in fourth and second in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Tro Bro Leon, but your first two starts in the Paris–Tours were rather disappointing, with two DNFs. But it still holds a special place in your heart!

The first time, I unfortunately got caught up in a mass pile-up with just under 60 kilometres to go. It was a nasty crash, so I had to withdraw right there and then. Last year, I had three or four punctures. The race was over for me, I was too far back and we decided to call it a day because it no longer made sense to push on to the finish. But I did finish the U23 version of the race in ninth place. I know it's a race that could fit me like a glove. I'm all fired up for Paris–Tours. I really want to make it to the finish this time and, above all, I want to fight for victory.  

A rider like you can either ride defensively and wait for the sprint or go on the offensive with your flair for shaking up the race. What scenario would suit you best on Sunday?

Well, first of all, I need to avoid punctures and other mechanicals! We'll see how the race unfolds. If it's mayhem out there, I'll need to go on the attack, but if things stay more or less together, as in the previous two editions, I'll have to save something for the finish. Every year is different… If I get to choose, give me a riotous race where it's every man for himself.  

If it all comes down to a sprint, you are not scared of anyone, not even Jasper Philipsen, who already had to bend the knee to you in Binche last Tuesday and at the Belgian national championships in June.

Sure. Last year, I'd have said I had virtually no chance against him. This season, I've beaten him twice. It's not far-fetched to say I can do it again, especially at the end of a race as tough as Paris–Tours. I fancy my odds quite a lot. Then again, luck is always a factor in the new version of Paris–Tours, so I'll have to steer clear of trouble. Once that's out of the way, it'll be time to go for glory.

Arnaud De Lie
Born in Libramont (BEL) on March 16, 2002  

Team
2022–2024: Lotto–Soudal / Lotto Dstny  

Major results
. 2024 Belgian champion
. 2023 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec
. Stage 5 of the 2024 Renewi Tour
. 2024 Binche–Chimay–Binche
. 2024 Tro Bro Leon
. 2023 Circuit Franco-Belge
. 2022 Johan Museeuw Classic