Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Intermarché) didn't start the Tour of Flanders and abandoned Paris-Roubaix, leaving his Classics season a bit of a disappointment, despite his fourth place at In Flanders Fields, formally known as Gent-Wevelgem.
On Thursday, April 16, his agent David van der Poel offered a possible explanation: De Lie may still be dealing with the consequences of Lyme disease from two years ago, which could have left residual effects now surfacing in his racing.
De Lie's contract with Lotto-Intermarché expires at year's end, and as his spring has unravelled, transfer interest from Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Soudal Quick-Step, Tudor Pro Cycling, and Alpecin-Premier Tech has intensified. His camp is now weighing not just where to race next season, but whether he can complete the next block of 2026 racing at all.
Spring form: mixed results then setbacks
De Lie started 2026 with promise. He finished sixth at Classica de Almeria in February, then moved into WorldTour racing with a second-place finish on stage three of Tirreno-Adriatico stage in mid-March and a 4th at In Flanders Fields on March 29. Those results suggested he was building into the spring block.
The sequence broke down quickly. He did not finish Dwars door Vlaanderen on April 1 after falling ill, skipped the Tour of Flanders with a dental issue, then abandoned Paris-Roubaix. By mid-April, the 24-year-old had no major one-day race victories this spring and no stable block of results to point to. But, if he still has Lyme disease, this will be easily explained.
Lingering Lyme disease
Speaking to DH Les Sports+, David van der Poel (Mathieu's older brother) linked De Lie's inconsistent form to the possible return of effects from Lyme disease, which had affected the rider two years earlier. He did not claim a definitive diagnosis but said the timing and symptoms matched a pattern worth investigating.
"Yes, that (Lyme disease) is one of the possibilities we are keeping in mind. The objective is to understand exactly what is happening, so that this pattern does not repeat itself every year," said Van der Poel.
"He is coping relatively well, despite everything. Obviously, missing his targets for the third year in a row is frustrating. But he knows he has nothing to reproach himself for. He worked perfectly in every area. So he remains confident.
"Everything was in order. The team was very satisfied with his work. It really is an unfortunate combination of circumstances."
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is caught by humans from the bites of infected deer ticks. With symptoms such as 'bullseye' rash, headaches, fever, and, of course, fatigue. Usually this disease is very easily treated. However, if not caught early it can cause serious damage to joints, the heart, and the whole nervous system. It is a very serious condition.
De Lie is said to be on the watch list for the upcoming transfer market for some of the biggest teams in the peloton. With some moves making more sense than others. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe appears to be the leading team for the moment but other teams that could be a good fit, such as Tudor, the rebuilding Soudal-QuickStep and the dominant Classics team Alpecin-Premier Tech are all teams mentioned to be on the table. But, De Lie's agent suggests that there are two to three serious contenders away from Lotto-Intermarché.
Van der Poel added: "Knowing that several teams are interested gives him a lot of confidence, as does Lotto–Intermarché’s desire to keep him. But it also requires energy and deep thought, because it is an important decision.
"We are taking the time to speak with teams and analyse the options, without a fixed deadline in mind."
De Lie has spent his entire career so far with Lotto-Intermarché. The pressure on the former Belgian champion in a major Belgian team could be possibly adding to his itchy feet, would a move outside of a Belgian squad work? Van der Poel had an answer for that too...
"It is something to consider. We know how much Belgium loves cycling, and the media storm that comes with it."
His 33 career wins and consistent WorldTour-level finishes make him attractive to teams rebuilding their sprint and Classics rosters.
Cover image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
