Development Podium place for Arnaud De Lie at GP Vermarc

Lotto Soudal U23 rider Arnaud De Lie has immediately secured a podium spot in his first race of the season. In a rain-soaked second edition of the GP Vermarc, a small front group including Alvaro Hodeg already escaped early in the race. Lennert Van Eetvelt – who represented Lotto Soudal in a chasing group which also included Arnaud De Lie – tried to bridge towards the front, but despite an impressive effort, he didn’t succeed in his mission.

In the final, only Alvaro Hodeg and Brent Clé remained in front. The Colombian of Deceuninck-Quick Step sprinted to victory and with an ultimate jump in the final metres, Arnaud De Lie beat Bert Van Lerberghe in the sprint for third place. That way, the 19-year-old immediately climbed onto the podium in his first race of the season.

“Of course, I am really happy with this third place” says Arnaud De Lie. “To finish third in my first race of the season, and as an U23 rider racing against some big names, is quite special. The rainy weather and the tough course made for a really hard race. The wind also made it quite a tactical game at the end.”

“Together with my teammate Lennert Van Eetvelt, I took the lead in the chasing group and at the end, we still came very close to the two leaders. In the final kilometres, I could get away with amongst others Jonas Rickaert and Bert Van Lerberghe. In the sprint, Van Lerberghe immediately took a few bike lengths, but with an ultimate jump, I was able to beat him and take third place”, concludes a happy Arnaud De Lie.

Image: Photo News.