Arnaud De Lie's 2026 Season: A Question Mark Hangs Over the Start After a Home Accident.
Lotto-Intermarché's star cyclist, Arnaud De Lie, faces an unexpected hurdle as he prepares for the upcoming season. A recent 'domestic accident' – a fall down the stairs – has left him with an injured ankle, casting uncertainty on the exact date of his season debut. But don't let this setback fool you; De Lie is determined to hit the ground running in 2026!
De Lie's journey in 2025 was a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs. After a tough first half marred by injuries and illness, he showcased his incredible talent with a string of impressive victories towards the end of the year. This momentum, however, was disrupted by the unfortunate ankle injury during the Christmas break.
During the Lotto-Intermarché team launch, De Lie was seen with his leg in a splint. Despite this, he remained optimistic, expressing confidence in his ability to return to full training soon and quickly get back to racing, even if there might be some initial delays. The team launch itself was a significant event, especially after reports of behind-the-scenes complications during the merger of Intermarché and Lotto. The fact that the new squad is up and running is a positive development.
"Normally I'll race the Clásica Almería (February 15) then the Volta ao Algarve (February 18-22), but these aren't top priorities."
De Lie's race schedule includes the Clásica Almería on February 15th and the Volta ao Algarve from February 18th to 22nd. However, these races are not his primary focus. He aims to be in peak condition for the Opening Weekend, where he secured a memorable second place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2023, despite a crash. Following this, he plans to compete in Tirreno-Adriatico, Ronde van Brugge, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen, and his highly anticipated debut at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
The second half of the season is already planned, with the Tour de France preceding the Canadian Classics, where he clinched victory in Québec in 2023, and hopefully, the World Championships. But here's where it gets controversial... Could this injury affect his performance in the major races?
In other team news, Jarno Widar, De Lie's teammate and a first-year professional, is confirmed as a possible starter at the Vuelta a España. Widar, the 2025 Under-23 European Road Champion, is scheduled to join De Lie at the Volta ao Algarve, provided De Lie participates. Widar will then concentrate on the Ardennes Classics. The Giro d'Italia has been ruled out for the former Giro Next Gen racer, but a spot in Spain's Grand Tour in August remains a possibility.
Alasdair Fotheringham, a veteran cycling journalist since 1991, has covered numerous prestigious races, including the Tour de France since 1992 (with one exception) and the 2008 Olympic Games. He has written for various publications, including Cyclingnews, The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express, and Reuters.
And this is the part most people miss... The impact of this injury on De Lie's overall season goals. What do you think? Will this ankle injury derail his plans, or will he bounce back stronger than ever? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
