'Soon I'll be a Buddhist monk' – Arnaud De Lie struggles to stay calm amid avalanche of misfortune

Arnaud De Lie has faced a challenging period in his racing calendar following his early-season triumph at the Famenne Ardenne Classic. After withdrawing from the Giro d’Italia due to gastroenteritis, the Belgian sprinter has struggled to find form at the Tour de Wallonie. Despite a promising start to the month, his performances in Wallonie have been hampered by a series of unfortunate events, including multiple punctures and a significant crash, which have prevented him from achieving notable results in the opening stages. During the first three stages of the Tour de Wallonie, De Lie’s best finish was sixth place, a far cry from his earlier victory. His difficulties began with punctures on stage one, which took him out of contention in the sprint finish. On stage two, he was boxed in behind other sprinters, while stage three saw him caught in a major crash just 1.5 kilometres from the finish line. Despite these setbacks, De Lie has maintained a calm demeanour, even joking about needing the patience of a Buddhist monk to cope with his string of bad luck. Reflecting on his recent misfortunes, De Lie expressed frustration but emphasised the importance of staying composed. Quoting Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne, he admitted the situation was “starting to get on my nerves” but reiterated his determination to remain calm and optimistic. He noted that his physical condition felt strong despite the lack of results, and he remains hopeful that his fortunes will improve in the upcoming stages, particularly the uphill finish in Eupen on stage four. Looking ahead, De Lie is using the Tour de Wallonie as part of his preparation for the Tour de France, where he is expected to lead the Lotto-Intermarché team. Additional opportunities to sharpen his form include the Copenhagen Sprint and the Tour de Suisse, both crucial events ahead of the Grand Tour. Meanwhile, his teammate Lennert Van Eetvelt, who also suffered bad luck at the Giro with a crash and broken finger, is set to join him in the Tour de France squad, signalling a strong Belgian presence despite recent setbacks.