With Arnaud De Lie and Maxim Van Gils, Lotto-Dstny has two clear irons who are hunting for stage wins in this Tour de France. De Lie has received a great boost as Belgian champion, puncher Van Gils already sees opportunities in the opening weekend.
Arnaud De Lie is making his debut in the Tour. Three days ago he won the Belgian Championship and that is of course a very successful dress rehearsal. “On Sunday there were a lot of emotions. That day was impressive, but now I realize that I am Belgian champion”, he says from Italy.
“There is more peace and I was able to enjoy some time with my family. Of course I have gained more self-confidence, which is very important for an athlete. It is nice, so close to my first big round.”
De Lie is aiming for a stage win, but is sparing with big statements. “The first goal was to be in good shape and gain experience. It gets tough every day and you can’t always give everything.”
“It’s good to learn and we’ll see if it’s possible to play for the win. That a first sprint awaits on Monday? The plan is to participate, but if it gets too crazy, I might brake I can especially learn a lot here.”
A stage win almost completes your career and that is the absolute goal. There are opportunities, although perhaps fewer than last year. But the opening weekend is a great start.
Maxim Van Gils
Maxim Van Gils’ learning process started last year. He came 2nd in the mountain stage to the Grand Colombier. “It would be nice if I could do a place better,” the puncher knows.
“A stage win almost completes your career and that is the absolute goal. There are opportunities, although there may be fewer than last year. But the opening weekend is a good start.”
“It is a course like in the Ardennes and hopefully it will be a sprint with a small group on Saturday. It is a bit of a one-day race that you have to prepare like Liège-Bastogne-Liège.”
Gums
Van Gils also protects teammate De Lie. “It is his first Tour and he is a different sprinter than Caleb Ewan. In recent years, the aim has often been to score in the first sprint.”
“We have to wait and see how things go with Arnaud. We should not count him out after the first sprint. He can score on days 8 and 9. We also have to approach it differently. The race can be made harder.”
Sports director Mario Aerts nods: “It won’t be that easy for Arnaud to win, but you shouldn’t be disappointed if you’re 10th. You have to analyze every opportunity.”
“It doesn’t always have to be a disappointment and the first chance will be very hectic. That will take some practice, so to speak. Maybe there are better opportunities a bit further on in the Tour when everyone is at their wits’ end.”
Aerts already sees a leading role for Van Gils in Italy. “I see him finishing at the front on Saturday and Sunday. I have also ticked a few options for him. We want to win a stage. That has been a few years ago for us.”
Related:
Tour de France
ridedatestart – finishtyperidetotalwinnerleader
1
29/06 Florence – Rimini
206 km
2
30/06 Cesenatico – Bologna
199,2 km
3
01/07 Piacenza – Tour
230,8 km
4
02/07 Pinerolo – Valloire
139,6 km
5
03/07 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – Saint-Vulbas
177,4 km
6
04/07 Macon – Dijon
163,5 km
7
05/07 Nuits-Saint-Georges – Gevrey-Chambertin
25,3 km
8
06/07 Semur-en-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Églises
183,4 km
9
07/07 Troyes – Troyes
199 km
rest day 08/07
10
09/07 Orléans – Saint-Amand-Montrond
187,3 km
11
10/07 Évaux-les-Bains – Le Lioran
211 km
12
11/07 Aurillac – Villeneuve-sur-Lot
203,6 km
13
12/07 Agent – Pau
165,3 km
14
13/07 Pau – Pla d’Adet
151,9 km
15
14/07 Loudenvielle – Plateau de Beille
197,7 km
rest day 15/07
16
16/07 Gruissan – Nîmes
188,6 km
17
17/07 Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Superdévoluy
177,8 km
18
07/18 Gap – Barcelonnette
179,5 km
19
19/07 Embrun – Isola 2000
144,6 km
20
20/07 Nice – Col de la Couillole
132,8 km
21
21/07 Monaco – Nice
33,7 km
