LOTTO DSTNY 2024

Winning return confirmed! After his victory in the Famenne Classic Ardenne a week ago, Arnaud de Lie has claimed a fine success on the 40th edition of the Tro Bro Leon, tenth round of the French Cup. An event distinguished by its 29 unpaved sectors, the famous "ribinou" An animator of the race, author of several attacks, the young Belgian sprinter was determined to win. Despite two punctures, he remained "calm" and sprinted to the finish of a group of nine riders in his own strong way! He's a great sprinter! Clément Venturini (Arkéa-B&B Hôtels), wearing his black and white Ekoï jersey special twentieth anniversary edition of the Breton formation managed by Emmanuel Hubert and the fortieth anniversary of the event, finished second. As in 2023, Ekoï signs a new victory and a new double! Winner's statement: "I had my first puncture. I changed bikes, then attacked once more in the Ferme sector. We made a first selection, but I had another puncture. We raced behind each time, but we raced very well as a team. And added : "On this kind of race, it's always possible to come back and there's no point getting upset" Ekoï equipment: AR14 helmet and evo8 goggles

The successes at World Tour races keep coming for Ekoï. After Arnaud de Lie (Lotto-Dstny) and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) a few days ago, it's now the turn of the talented and promising Maxim Van Gils (24) to increase the Ekoï victory counter! Having made an excellent start to the season (3rd in the Strade Bianche and Flèche Wallonne...), the Belgian puncheur from Lotto-Dstny won the 61st edition of the Eschborn-Frankfurt in a sprint, signing in the process the first victory of his career at this level. Restrained throughout the course (203.5 kms), Maxim Van Gils looked back on the race, saying: "My sensations weren't super good. But my team did a fantastic job of toughening up the race. I just had to survive the last climb of Mammolshain (20.4 kms at 7.7%). I stayed in the wheels to recover and a few meters before the finish I saw the hole, snuck in and finished strong." Note that Ekoï recorded a nice double with third place for American Riley Sheehan (Israel Premier Tech). Ekoï equipment (Maxim): AR14 helmet and white Ottimo goggles

It is with a raging fist that the Belgian sprinter savors his victory, the first of the season! And with good reason: forced to take a break in recent months due to Lyme disease, Arnaud de Lie puts an end to a very complicated period in the most beautiful of ways, thanks in particular to excellent teamwork: "We really had a great race. This is the region I come from, so I know the course almost by heart. We knew how to play with the course. Maxim (Van Gils) was with me all the time in the bumps, he played the team game well. The aim was for us both to get a good position and for him to stay on my wheel." In the sprint, the "bull of Lescheret" overtook Axel Zingle (Cofidis) to win this Walloon semi-classic for the second year running. Ekoï occupies the first four places in the ranking with Axel Zingle (Cofidis), 2nd; Maxim (Van Gils Lott-Dstny), 3rd; Riley Sheehan (Israel Premier Tech), 4th.

Disputée dans des conditions météorologiques difficiles, cette 88ème édition de la Flèche Wallonne a été remportée par trois coureurs Ekoï. Le Britannique S.Williams (Israël Premier Tech) s'est montré le plus fort dans la quatrième et dernière ascension du mur d'Huy. A 200 mètres de la ligne, il a attaqué, en costaud. Il devance Kévin Vauquelin de la formation bretonne Arkéa B&B-Hôtels et le Belge Maxime Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny). Ekoï signe son premier triplé de la saison sur une épreuve World Tour et Stephen Williams sa deuxième victoire de l'année après celle décrochée sur le Tour Down Under ! Equipements : casque AR14 Ekoï + textile (S.Williams) - casque Ekoï Aerodinamica, lunettes Ottimo et textile (K.Vauquelin) - casque AR14 + lunettes OTTIMO (M.Van Gils) 

STRADE BIANCHE 15 sectors of white gravel roads (71.2 kms), 215 kilometres, 3674 metres of ascent, start and finish in the Piazza del Campo. The 18th edition of the Strade Bianche lived up to all its promises. Offensive throughout the race, 24-year-old Belgian puncheur Maxim Van Gils of Lotto-Dstny took a strong third place in this atypical World Tour event. Statement from the winner: "At the start of the race, I was very nervous. Once the race was launched by Tadej Pogacar's attack, I tried to follow him, I could have stayed in his wheel, but there were other riders ahead of me and they had no answer to this attack (...) When I attacked, I was hoping to take other riders with me, but nobody followed me. I knew that this race was right for me, it's confirmation that I can compete with the big riders." GP J-P MONSERE The following day saw the GP Jean-Pierre Monseré held in Belgium. A race marked by crashes and withdrawals due to the cold and rain. The day's winner, Jarne Van de Paar of Lotto-Dstny, didn't suffer from the extreme conditions and won the race after a sprint. The 23-year-old gave us a clear analysis: "Most of the riders were extremely cold, but for me it wasn't too bad (...) It was tough, because we had to ride in the rain all day". And about the sprint: "It was very chaotic (...) it was a question of waiting and not going too fast. Lionel Taminiaux and Joshua Giddings placed me perfectly. Note the third place of D.Dekker for Arkéa-B&B Hôtels. GP CRIQUIELION Alec Segaert (21, Lotto-Dstny) won the Grand Prix Criquielion (1.1), contested over a distance of 200 kilometres between Ath and Lessines (Hainaut). He succeeds Australian Sam Welsford. Jenth...

Lennert Van Eetvelt finished in style with a stage/overall classification double by just...two seconds. Marked by a nervous second part due to the wind, this stage came down to the final difficulty, the climb to Jebel Hafeet (10.9km at 6.7%), the scene of a superb suspenseful finale. The red leader's jersey in the general classification would pass over the shoulders of three riders during this stage. Worn by Jay Vine at the start of today's stage, it was lost with 7 kilometres to go to Australian Ben'O Connor, who seemed destined to win the precious jersey, especially as he looked solid in the climb. But that was without counting on the determination of the young and powerful Lennert, who decided to attack with 1.8 kilometres to go. He flew away to stage victory, giving everything he had under his pedals, spurred on by his team who knew there was a chance. His last-ditch effort was rewarded as he won the stage and overall classification of this sixth UAE Tour by just two seconds. Retrospectively, the team and the rider can congratulate themselves on having gained three bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint. Following his victory in the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca at the end of January, Lotto-Dstny's new Belgian prodigy offers his team and Ekoï a superb double in a World Tour event. Statement from the winner: "Before the climb (...) I got stuck. I had the feeling I'd lost the race, but fortunately we got back into the first group just before Jebel Hafeet (...) I expected the race to be harder before the last two kilometres. But I played it all or nothing. On Wednesday, on the Jebel Jais, I was disappointed to have waited too long, so today I started qui...

Fresh from winter training, many riders were eager to set the pace. So it came as no surprise that several breakaways were attempted. Right from the very first kilometers. Jesus Herrada of Cofidis tried his luck. Finally, with thirty kilometers to go, the breakaway was formed by ten riders. Among them was Belgian Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Dstny), determined not to settle for second place (2023). On the final climb of the day (Coll Puig Major - 14.2kms at 6% average speed), he took the lead from two riders, who he would dispose of in a sprint on the final steep climb! EKOÏ equipment: Ekoï AR14 helmet Winner's statement: "The difference with last year, when I was second, was luck and good legs...". Notable rider results: Alpes Isère Tour 2023 (Overall + stages 4 and 5) - Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana 2023 (2nd) - Sibiu Cycling Tour 2023 (stage 2) Credit: Photonews

Some races remain in the annals for a striking image... there is no doubt that the 5th edition of the Lotto Famenne Ardenne Classic will be a landmark, due to the legendary last 50 meters. Despite several attacks throughout the 188 kilometers of the course, it was ultimately a sprint that won. At 200 meters, despite being poorly placed at the start of the final run and not taking advantage of his training, Arnaud de Lie decided to move off to the left side of the road, completely into the wind. We are heading towards a  force demonstration  as the young Belgian quickly takes 2 then 3 bike advance, when suddenly he takes off his shoes... In reality, he breaks his hold and ends up on one leg. Only a few centimeters from the line, he launches his bike to win. At the same time, he almost falls heavily against the railings. What a surreal image! Arnaud de Lie records his 10th victory of the season, series in progress! Photo credit: PhotoNews

The men in shape at the end of the season were there for the 82nd edition of the Circuit Franco-Berge and they held their place... Take a tiring 190 kilometer race with no less than 14 climbs and add a bumpy finish... shake up the peloton and you applaud the boss on this type of course on the line: Arnaud de Lie! With one lap to go, the 21-year-old Belgian manages to keep up with the infernal pace imposed by his opponents. Finally, around fifteen men presented themselves at the foot of Mont-de-L'Enclus, justice of the peace for the day. 150 meters from the line, in the final meters including percentages, he produces his effort and lets his power speak. Easy, he won with two bikes in advance, allowing himself the luxury of getting up completely in the last 25 meters. Corbin Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) finished 3rd. Thanks to this victory, the “Taureau de Lescheret” reaches his previous season number of successes (9) and offers a 20th triumph to the Lotto-Dstny team this year. Photo credit: Photonews

The Belgian rider is a real machine when it comes to putting his power to work. Victor has had a remarkable season since the Critérium du Dauphiné. Already the author of a victory over the last Druivenkoers - Overijse, he also returned to success in the solo exercise. The Lotto-Dstny racing car has once again fired up its powerful pistons to fight against time. The 23.9 kilometers of the time trial were completed at hypersonic speed and at the end of the effort only one second separated Victor from his runner-up of the day. On arrival, very moved, the double European champion of the event (2017 and 2018) dedicates this victory to a member of his family who died a few days earlier. Mental strength and physical strength... Photo credit: Skoda Tour du Luxembourg

It was with (over)power that the Belgian nugget from the Lotto-Dstny team sprinted through the streets of Quebec. Although poorly placed a few hectometers from the line, the man nicknamed the Bull of Lescheret managed to overcome his opponents one by one. More than a performance, a true demonstration of force! He is ahead of the solid Corbin Strong (Israel Premier Tech) and one of the big favorites, Michael Matthews, double winner of the event (2018,2019)! At 22, Arnaud won his first World Tour victory. Upon arrival, he declared: "I was missing a big victory. The Quebec GP, I've been watching it since I was little. To be able to add this victory to my list of achievements is just enormous." 7th success of the year for ADL and first Canadian trophy for Ekoï, which makes a grand entrance as helmet and goggle partner of the GPCQM. Photo credit: QPCQM - Eric Gagnon

After a very contested inaugural time trial due to the lack of light, the weather conditions and the final route of the day prompted the riders and the organizers not to take the times at the finish but 9km from the line, before the ascent and especially the descent of Montjuïc. The start of the race was marked by a breakaway of 5 men in which appeared Bol, rider of Burgos BH. As the final approached, falls followed one another and the great leaders of the general classification got up again after the famous passage to 9 kilometers. Only about twenty kamikazes are therefore playing a prestigious victory in the capital of Catalonia. In the steepest slopes of the difficulty of the day, a real justice of the peace, we first witness an attack by Remy Rochas (Cofidis) who aborts a mouse but allows Andreas Kron to counter and isolate himself just before the swing. Despite a soggy surface and the accumulation of dead leaves that had fallen due to the driving rain, he managed to keep a precious lead and take a memorable victory just a stone's throw from the 1992 Olympic Stadium. A victory in the form of a tribute after the death in training of his young teammate Tijl De Becker: "This one is for you, Tijl!" Photo credit: Photo News / Getty Images

Even if they are not part of the classics or monuments, some races have a special flavor for the runners. Such is the case of the Egmont Cycling Race for Jasper de Buyst... The 193.5 kilometer route ending in Zottegem largely uses its training roads. The Belgian sprinter thus knows every corner of the course but also the pitfalls to avoid during the various hills and cobbled sections. The nervous race was finally played out in a sprint in a restricted committee. A few kilometers from the finish, Arjen Livyns did a lot of work at the front of the peloton to come back to a rider who had escaped and allow his teammate to compete for his chances. At 300 meters, Jasper already starts his sprint... He manages to keep a substantial lead on the line despite the lactic acid paralyzing his legs. The marshals will however use the photo finish to decide between the two riders and will designate him as the winner. A second success for the Lotto-Dstny rider in this event after 2017.

The 63rd edition of "la race of grapes" rewarded one of the most offensive runners of the summer. In a team race, the riders of the Belgian formation Lotto-Dstny maneuvered perfectly over the 185 kilometers of the race. Victor Campenaerts and Jasper de Buyst manage to take their place, one in the lead and the other in the chasing group. This configuration allows the mischievous Victor to jump relays claiming that his teammate is chasing behind him. Winning bet since he manages to sprint his runaway companion! The strategy implemented allows the Lotto-Dstny to place two riders on the podium in first and 3d place. Champagne! Photo credit: Photo News

Two days after his victory in the round of Coupe de France, Arnaud De Lie is once again making the powder talk, this time at home, in the 9th round of the Belgian Cup. The Tour of Leuven has been quite successful for the riders of the Lotto-Dstny, since the previous winner was none other than Victor Campenaerts... The 193 kilometers of this 57th edition were run at a very high speed (more than 43 km/hour). At the start of the race, a breakaway takes its distance but the Belgian sprinter's teammates keep watch. At 40 kilometers from the finish, it was finally taken back before a group of 10 strong men broke away in the various "tapes-cul" of the course. Well led by a gala "Campi", Arnaud De Lie sprints his opponents in the last 20 meters and offers himself a 7th bouquet this season. The Lotto Dsnty achieves a nice group shot with 4 riders in the TOP 10: (De Lie, Campenaerts, Peyskens and Livyns). Axel Zingle (Cofidis) finished 4th, Giacomo Nizzolo 10th. Photo credits: Photonews and Maxime Van der Wielen

A stone's throw from the mythical Mont-St-Michel, 112 riders line up for the 43rd edition of La Polynormande, an event founded by former Tour de France speaker Daniel Mangeas. On a course of 168.9 kilometers including 10 laps of the circuit, Arnaud de Lie looks like a man to beat: a great battle promises to be David against Goliath. After several skirmishes including a breakaway that took the field, Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) did not coo in the Côte de la Pigeonnière and launched an attack allowing two riders to take a few hundred meters ahead of the peloton. Well led by his Belgian formation, Arnaud De Lie tumbles with impressive speed, taking down all his opponents from his wheel and depositing the two fugitives 50 meters from the line. For the second time this season, "Le Taureau de Lescheret" won a round of the Coupe de France, after its success in the Grand Prix du Morbihan. This good result gives him the lead in the general classification of the circuit. Note the good group performance of the riders wearing Ekoï products with 7th place for Hofstetter (Arkéa-Samsic), 8th place for Delettre (Cofidis) and 10th place for Nizzolo (Israel-Premier Tech). Photo credit: Cassandra Donne

The Tour of Castile and Leon is a Spanish race comprising only two stages. The rugged  second day lends itself to major maneuvers thanks to the two first category climbs. A breakaway formed in which Eduardo Sepulveda slipped. The Argentinian climber manages to slip away from his runaway companions with the exception of Pablo Castrillo (Kern Pharma), whom he will settle in a two-man sprint. This success allows the Lotto-Dstny rider to win the general classification in which we can note the 4th place of his teammate Harry Sweeny and the 8th of Jakob Fuglsang (Israel-Premier Tech). Photo credit: Tour of Castile and Leon

For this 110th edition of the Tour de France, four Ekoï teams were on the starting line: Israel Premier-Tech, Arkéa-Samsic, Cofidis and Lotto-Dstny. It didn't take long to see one of them shine. Second stage and the first victory obtained thanks to a masterful look from Victor Lafay (Cofidis), who surprised the strongest by starting at the kilometer to cross the line alone. Enjoyable! A week later, the experienced Michael Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) made a fantastic climb of the very difficult Puy de Dôme. Returning one by one to his adversaries, he defeats them in the most severe percentages. Mythical ! During the 12th stage, Cofidis distinguished again with the Spanish rider Ion Izaguirre, author of an irresistible ride of 30 kilometers rewarded with a superb and indisputable victory. Solid ! Many cyclisrts also distinguished themselves. Among them, it is impossible not to mention the Belgian Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) with many breakaway attempts, often at kilometer 0. In Paris, it is not by chance that he won the super combative trophy. Krists Neilands (Israel Premier-Tech) found himself in the “right shot” several times and showed remarkable combativeness. Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) was damn pugnacious by hanging on throughout the mountain stages. His 10th place overall is well deserved. On the sprint side, we note the second and third places of Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) and the third place of Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) in the green jersey classification. The Arkéa-Samsic formation also showed up at the front of the race: and in the first place Laurent Pichon who put on a show for 155 kilometers (!) He will inspire his teammates, Anthony Delaplace an...

As usual, the first part of the stage looks more like a parade where the riders savor petits fours and champagne, than a cycling race. However, as you approach the most beautiful avenue in the world, there is no time to get your room.Entering the Champs..Elysées marks the real start of the battle. After only a few laps of the circuit, Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) and Frison (Lotto-Dstny) come out on top and make the last breakaway of this Tour de France. Campenaets (Lotto-Dstny) freshly elected "most combative runner of this 110th edition" is also trying his luck but the pace imposed by the sprinters teams allows no escape. But what a champion despite everything.For the ultimate sprint, the grail of all runners with well-developed hocks, note 3 Ekoï runners in the TOP 10: Coquard (Cofidis) 7th, Strong (Israel-Premier Tech) 9th, Mozzato (Arkéa-Samsic) 10th.Overall, Guillaume Martin takes a good 10th place.Photo credit: Sprint Cycling and Sirotti

After his serious injury last May during the 4 days of Dunkirk, Arnaud De Lie is above all looking for confidence, especially since his return race during the Belgian Road Championships gave little cause for satisfaction. After an anecdotal 57th place, the 21-year-old Belgian is looking to regain his form at the start of the season. With 5 stages, several of which are intended for sprinters and punchers, the Tour de Wallonie is ideal for rediscovering the pleasure of victory. Between St-Ghislain and Walcourt (stage 2) on a hilly profile, Axel, Arnaud's brother controls the gap which separates the peloton and the race leader. As expected, everything will be a sprint. Well carried by his pilot fish up to 250 meters, Arnaud overtook his opponents and won with surprising ease, stopping his effort upstream of the line. Thanks to the bonus game, he also took the leader's red jersey. With such a color, the “Taureau de Lescheret” has not finished blowing its horns... Photo credit: Photo New

The 133.5 kilometers of this penultimate stage of the Tour promise to be nervous, especially since the profile offered to the 151 surviving riders does not include a single meter of flat. The game can begin: do "vosges", nothing goes!In this little game, the first to reveal their hand are the two runners from Lotto-Dstny Campenaerts and De Buyst. From the opening of the curtain orchestrated by the master of ceremonies Christian Prudhomme (director of the Tour de France), the two friends try a sleight of hand by packing their trunks alone, in the Ballon...d'Alsace.A waste of time... In the descent, they reappear in the eyes of their adversaries and are immediately left behind. Thank you gentlemen for this issue!A few hectometres later, a group of about twenty units forms at the front. We find there in particular Izagirre and Zingle (Cofidis), the other great attacker of this Tour Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech), Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) and Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic). The pace is steady at the front as well as at the head of the peloton, no one is there to put on pearls!The Col de la Croix des Moinats makes it possible to make a new selection at the front, where only 6 riders play the leading roles: Barguil, Neilands, Van Gils are celebrating!In this stage, another runner is on a mission. Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) is taking part in his last Tour de France and the Franc-Comtois is riding today at home. He knows these roads by heart. In the most demanding percentages of this difficulty, revolted, over-motivated, transcended, he leaves the peloton and returns alone to the breakaway. A tiger ready to roar!No time to take a breather, no intermission is offered to the artists of this 110 e...

This Tour de France definitely has many surprises in store... Although the riders are tired after 18 very demanding stages, they continue to put on a show of rare intensity. Several of them are determined to lead a last stand and try to isolate themselves. Among them, we obviously find Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny), Zingle and Coquard (Cofidis), Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech). However, the good shot does not seem to have been formed, too many teams wishing to win in this 100% Jura stage.Finally, after more than 60 kilometers of struggle, the race settles after the intermediate sprint and sees a group of some 36 riders get out of the peloton: Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic), Houle, Neilands, Strong and Clarke (Israel -Premier Tech), Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny), Izagirre (Cofidis) in particular.Particularly discreet so far, the Australian Simon Clarke has ants in his legs and launches an offensive 60 kilometers from the finish, accompanied by the inevitable "Campi". "Aerodinamic..a" and well placed on their machines, the two adventurers deliver an effective choreography but cramps stop Clarke 28 kilometers further. A few hectometres later, in the last "repecho" of the day, Campenaerts was taken over by a trio of fugitives who "jo...ured" the victory to Poligny. Behind, although to their advantage Strong and Barguil will not be able to defend their luck, victims of a fall for one and mechanical trouble for the other.Distinction rarely awarded two days in a row to the same rider, the prize for combativeness is still awarded to Campenaerts for all of his work!Photo credits: Sprint Cycling and Sirotti

It has become a tradition, an unmiss...able event of this 110th edition of the Grande Boucle: the attack on "Campi", from kilometer 0. For the antepenultimate time since the start of the Tour, Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) decides to spend the day at the front of the race, accompanied by two other brave men.After the terrible alpine day of the day before and its 5100 meters of elevation gain, this transition stage seems promised to the sprinters. Jasper Philipsen is the big favorite. The peloton leaves no room for maneuver to the fugitives since the breakaway will never take more than 1min30 in advance.Already in trouble prematurely yesterday on the first slopes of the Col des Saisies, Simon Geschke was still let go 124 km from the finish. Sick, the wearer of the polka dot jersey for more than 10 days in 2022 throws in the towel 60 km later. In 48 hours, he is the third rider from the Cofidis team to leave the Tour route: after Alexis Renard who suffered a broken elbow during the time trial and Anthony Perez who did not start the same morning.For its part, the Lotto-Dstny team is untenable. Determined to make life difficult for the "big thighs" of the peloton, Pascal EenKhoorn places several attacks at the head of the peloton. Mission doubly successful! He pushes the green jersey to the end as the latter tries to intimidate him by pressing him against the edge of the road, then manages in a second time to join the trio of fugitives, thus finding Victor, his teammate.In the intermediate sprint, the Lotto-Dstny rank 2nd and 3rd, Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) 5th. The new quartet is definitely giving the peloton a hard time. For more than 40 kilometers, the gratin of the roller...

On the program today: a flat profile in the magnificent department of Ain with a steep climb to finish.The first kilometers are the scene of several breakaway attempts. Customary to the fact, Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) goes out at km 0, without any real success. We see a brief moment Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) who does not fail to get noticed with the very successful "blue white red" livery of his AR14 helmet. 19 cyclists manage to form a group. There are 110 kilometers left. Among them, three Ekoï riders: Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny), Hugo Houle (Israel Premier-Tech) and Luca Mozzato (Arkéa-Samsic). At the bottom of the "Giant of Bugey", the fugitives have a little less than 4 minutes in advance... The start of the ascent hurts. The young Van Gils is still in the game in the quartet of survivors. If he lets today winner pass 10 km from the summit, he will still resist until the end when the yellow jersey peloton returns to clinch a good second place! A small satisfaction for the Belgian formation which loses its sprinter with the abandonment of Caleb Ewan.Guillaume Martin is 15th overall.

Bryan Coquard (COFIDIS) slipped into the first breakaway of the day with one objective in mind: to win the intermediate sprint. Mission accomplished at kilometer 48, he was the fastest and collected 20 points. With 84 points, he is now a solid runner-up to Philipsen.  Belgian Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny) broke away with Van Aert and Mads Pedersen. They were caught less than 3 kilometers from the top of the Col de Soudet.  Israel Premier-Tech rider Krists Neilands briefly went it alone on the Col d'Ichère.

A fine day for the Ekoï riders yesterday marked by a new breakaway and a hard sprint.85 km from the finish, Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-Samsic) takes the lead with B.Cosnefroy. Taken back 25 km from the line, the duo rejoins a peloton in working order to compete in the massive sprint on the Nogaro circuit. Sprint that the explosive Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny) just misses, beaten only by half a wheel by Philipsen.Note a promising fourth place from Bryan Coquard. The Cofidis sprinter is gaining momentum! To be continued...

We had left "Rocket Pocket" on several particularly frustrating second places during the UAE Tour or the GP Monseré. The blue helmets of the Lotto Dstny therefore had to succeed in the "victory" operation on the Van Merksteijn Classic, formerly GP Marcel Kint.The Australian sprinter and his teammates maneuvered perfectly during the 4 laps of the circuit to spot the final. As the red flag approaches, Caleb Ewan chooses the wheel of Tim Merlier, who has been in very good shape since the start of the season, overtakes him less than 100 meters from the line with his camouflage helmet and reassures himself a few weeks from his major objective of the year: the Tour de France.C: Caleb Ewan

The Lotto Dstny was particularly prominent during the 55th edition of the Belgian classic.35 kilometers from the finish line, around twenty runners took to their heels and started the final cobbled sections with a handful of seconds in advance.At 5 kilometers, they are only 5 in the lead. Among them, we find the solid roller Victor Campenaerts, but the fugitives are taken back at the approach of a stormy sprint marked by the fall of Asgreen and De Bondt. Finally, Milan Menten pulls the cobblestones from the fire in front of the powerful Hugo Hofstetter of Arkéa-Samsic. Nice double for EKOI!

With more than 3000m elevation for 169.7 kilometers around Bessèges, the 3rd step was not necessarily favorable to sprinters. On the program, the 'Col des Brousses', a first category coast, to climb three times, the last time of which ten kilometers from the line. Distancing in the bumps, Arnaud de Lie managed to return to the leading group 4 kilometers from the finish. Impatient, he then struck the charge 2 kilometers from the finish, in vain. Determined, the Belgian sprinter surprised his opponents and commentators by gushing to the best moments to win "easily". He finished 7th in this 53rd edition. Arnaud de Lie has managed to return to the leading group. He even placed an unsuccessfull attack 2 km from the finish, but he easily won the sprint.

Sixth in the UCI global ranking in 2022 at just 20 years old, the young Belgian sprinter of the Lotto-Destny Arnaud de Lie team addresses ambitiously the year 2023. He won the first UCI European race for the season, the Valencia classic, in Spain. A 190 -kilometer event hosted by a breakaway of five runners finally resumed to make way for a well -managed sprint, the “Lescheret bull” being perfectly launched by its teammates.