Teams & Riders Arnaud De Lie is De Truth Discussion Thread

[Berniece]

Too young too burned up?
Hanging around is his own bubble?

According to an old ex-rider from Belgium he’s being handled too softly, and he can do whatever he wants in the team since other bigger riders have left.

@Samamba probably knows more about this, if there’s any truth to it. I’m referring to what Dirk De Wolf said in the latest Wielerclub Wattage episode.

 

[theyoungest]

According to an old ex-rider from Belgium he’s being handled too softly, and he can do whatever he wants in the team since other bigger riders have left.

@Samamba probably knows more about this, if there’s any truth to it. I’m referring to what Dirk De Wolf said in the latest Wielerclub Wattage episode.

It's pretty common for ex-riders to say "the youth of today is being handled too softly, they get everything presented to them on a platter" etc.

I assume that De Lie has a sense of honour and prestige, as well as ambition. Right now he looks worse than an amateur, he wouldn't want that no matter how much freedom they give him.

 

[Netserk]

It's pretty common for ex-riders to say "the youth of today is being handled too softly, they get everything presented to them on a platter" etc.

Because it's true. You can say that's a good thing, that they should be handled even more softly etc., but there's no denying that riders are handled differently now than 20 or 40 years ago.

 

[Samamba]

According to an old ex-rider from Belgium he’s being handled too softly, and he can do whatever he wants in the team since other bigger riders have left.

@Samamba probably knows more about this, if there’s any truth to it. I’m referring to what Dirk De Wolf said in the latest Wielerclub Wattage episode.

If I would give one great advice in life, it would be to never watch Wielerclub wattage or in general nothing that has Dirk De Wolf in it.

But to answer the question. Of course De Lie has a lot of freedom. Every leader in any team has that. I have no idea what he means by "soft". Nothing has changed this year. I have no idea what he means with "since other bigger riders left" as he already had this kind of freedom. He isn't doing anything different than after lyme last year or 2 years ago. De Lie is pretty stubborn and not always easy to communicate with tho. He doesn't easily say when he's feeling bad so they have to go off data all the time and that isnt always as easy. The only time you could say they were soft was when they agreed to let him change trainer last year after the spring and refuse altitude camps (he doesn't like it). I don't necessarily agree with it but if you think any other team would go against his leader in that regard, i have a lot of things to sell you. Is Lidl soft on Pedersen?

 

[theyoungest]

Because it's true. You can say that's a good thing, that they should be handled even more softly etc., but there's no denying that riders are handled differently now than 20 or 40 years ago.

Yes, but all things being equal (i.e. no clinic-related substances) any of these current riders would kick their a$$ on any given day, based on this "soft" approach. They are way more professional than in the olden days (and they don't pull a Jan Ullrich over the winter).

 

[Berniece]

If I would give one great advice in life, it would be to never watch Wielerclub wattage or in general nothing that has Dirk De Wolf in it.

I think it’s good fun, I don’t watch it for the insights. Just the humour

 

[Samamba]

I think it’s good fun, I don’t watch it for the insights. Just the humour

Well yeah sure humour is subjective, but that's kinda my point. Never take anything that De Wolf says seriously. He has absolutely no idea. Bakelants is just there to be annoying and make headlines by saying ̂things he doesnt even believe himself, Boonen is quiet funny but he doesn't even follow cycling properly anymore, uijterhoeve is just a moron and Van Gucht is just there to show off his hair.

Anyways i answered properly in an edit.

 

[Andre]

To me De Lie has always seemed like the perfect QuickStep rider.

I was just about to say that

 

[Berniece]

If I would give one great advice in life, it would be to never watch Wielerclub wattage or in general nothing that has Dirk De Wolf in it.

But to answer the question. Of course De Lie has a lot of freedom. Every leader in any team has that. I have no idea what he means by "soft". Nothing has changed this year. I have no idea what he means with "since other bigger riders left" as he already had this kind of freedom. He isn't doing anything different than after lyme last year or 2 years ago. De Lie is pretty stubborn and not always easy to communicate with tho. He doesn't easily say when he's feeling bad so they have to go off data all the time and that isnt always as easy. The only time you could say they were soft was when they agreed to let him change trainer last year after the spring and refuse altitude camps (he doesn't like it). I don't necessarily agree with it but if you think any other team would go against his leader in that regard, i have a lot of things to sell you. Is Lidl soft on Pedersen?

All the things you've mentioned, I would also call that being soft on De Lie.

Comparison with Pedersen doesn't really work, because Pedersen delivers. At least he seems in great form, actually delivering a big win is still to come.

 

[Samamba]

All the things you've mentioned, I would also call that being soft on De Lie.

Comparison with Pedersen doesn't really work, because Pedersen delivers. At least he seems in great form, actually delivering a big win is still to come.

De Lie has 27 Pro wins at 23 years old, in my book that's pretty much delivering. Not his fault people acted like he was some sort of Boonen reincarnated after a few wins when he was 20 years old and that he's been quite unlucky at times (well some of his mechanicals actually could be his fault but ok). The point is that I don't see a reason for thinking that his current horrible form has anything to do with the team giving him his freedom. I have said before that I do not agree with De Lie blaming his lack of results early last year on altitude camp (but yk the same press that complains now made De Lie think that cause they kept saying Lotto did everything wrong like they always do), I hope he tries it again in the future, but apart from that there isn't anything special. And btw, even if it had anything to do with it. You can't make someone do something he doesn't want to. It just does not work. If De Lie doesn't want to live as a pro fully, that's on him and not the team. Like Segaert for example also doesn't live as pro fully yet (he will soon), that's a choice he makes.

Also I just read the Sporza article about the WW stuff, they are trying to make a point by simply making up lies. It's pretty disgusting journalism (like always). De Lie indeed went from a in team trainer to someone outside of the team, but no it is not a privilege only De Lie has. There's more riders that do not get trained by someone from the team. It's literally a reason why some riders choose to stay or ride for the team. Also his new trainer never got hired by the team so no De Lie doesn't decide that either.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Suffering the pressures of being a Belgian star. Many came before and there are, and will be many more.

 

[Andre]

Suffering the pressures of being a Belgian star. Many came before and there are, and will be many more.

...let's hope Van Eetveld and Nys come through. But, anyway I still haven't given up on De Lie

 

[Samamba]

From what I hear De Lie has now seperated with Gaetan Bille, the trainer he went to last year. Bit of a joke after wanting a trainer outside of the team last year. He doesn't seem to know what he wants. I think he listens to much to what people say on the internet or in the press, something you should never do as a Belgian cyclist cause it's all dumb stuff.

Also he's slighty overweight, but that's mainly the result of not being able to train like he should be the last month and not a reason for his level. Also some problems in his personal life, but I'm not going to elaborate on that.

For now no physical things found, so no sickness or anything. Still some testing but it looks like apart from losing form due to sickness after Besseges and Samyn, not a real reason to be that bad (on the other hand if you look at Mohoric sickness could completely ruin you).

 

[Netserk]

Thankfully, the team is in such a good position that there's very limited pressure this year. They can take their time to get it right.

 

[Samamba]

Thankfully, the team is in such a good position that there's very limited pressure this year. They can take their time to get it right.

I don't know if that's sarcastic

 

[Netserk]

I don't know if that's sarcastic

Their lead is so great that they are guaranteed to be a WT team until the end of 2028. If ever there was a good time, it is now.

 

[Samamba]

Their lead is so great that they are guaranteed to be a WT team until the end of 2028. If ever there was a good time, it is now.

Oh yeah pointswise yes, but they need a sponsor or they will get obliterated next year. In that sense they need results. But I do think they are smart enough that De Lie won't give them that anyways in this form so. Plus, it's not like there are big races sponsors care about between classics and Tour if you're not riding Giro.

I expect him to do his typical smaller races to find confidence strategy again. I't's pretty obvious by now that he's a confidence rider.

 

[Didinho]

It’s also on Sporza now. He’s not riding untill the 2nd part of the season. Full reset with an internal coach. And let him stay more in Belgium.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Another belgian rider burned by belgian media.

 

[Berniece]

Another belgian rider burned by belgian media.

Why is he burned by Belgian media?

 

[Samamba]

Another belgian rider burned by belgian media.

While you might have a point, you don't need to say that every 3 days. It's getting repetitive.

Why is he burned by Belgian media?

Let's be honest, Belgian media is absolutely awful for talents. They all want to act like they know it better constantly, what riders need to do, what they are supposed to win, etc. They just can't shut up or let them grow in peace. It is a real problem. You know, I am not a big Remco fan, but if there's something I admire him for it's the way he dealt with that. Brother could be eating a Nutella sandwich and it would be on HLN or in some random lame podcast.

And for De Lie it might be even worse, cause he has the whole Walloon side of Belgium following him closely.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Well yeah sure humour is subjective, but that's kinda my point. Never take anything that De Wolf says seriously. He has absolutely no idea. Bakelants is just there to be annoying and make headlines by saying ̂things he doesnt even believe himself, Boonen is quiet funny but he doesn't even follow cycling properly anymore, uijterhoeve is just a moron and Van Gucht is just there to show off his hair.

Anyways i answered properly in an edit.

Disagree with you on those guys. (Shocker, I know)

Bakelants is the more insightful one of the panel. And arguably probably one of the most intelligent voices in cycling. It just doens't seem that way because every genuine statement or comment gets immediately clowned on by De Wolf and Uijterhoeven.
Boonen still follows cycling and tbh, his expertise is still of the charts. But the entire concept of the show went downhill when they made Uijterhoeven a regular after his one stint where he stood in for someone who was sick.
I used to be a fan but Sporza decided to cater it to a more broader general public and it shows. It's crap, surely now Uijterhoeven has gotten the all-free with his stupid AI-jokes and his "pralinees".

 

[kingjr]

Disagree with you on those guys. (Shocker, I know)

Bakelants is the more insightful one of the panel. And arguably probably one of the most intelligent voices in cycling. It just doens't seem that way because every genuine statement or comment gets immediately clowned on by De Wolf and Uijterhoeven.
Boonen still follows cycling and tbh, his expertise is still of the charts. But the entire concept of the show went downhill when they made Uijterhoeven a regular after his one stint where he stood in for someone who was sick.
I used to be a fan but Sporza decided to cater it to a more broader general public and it shows. It's crap, surely now Uijterhoeven has gotten the all-free with his stupid AI-jokes and his "pralinees".

Incidentally, talking about Sporza and cycling expertise, does anyone know where to find a version of the 1979 programme "Confrontatie der Wielergoden" with Merckx, van Looy, and van Steenbergen? It used to be watchable outside of Belgium, but now I can't find it anymore.

 

[kingjr]

Well yeah sure humour is subjective, but that's kinda my point. Never take anything that De Wolf says seriously. He has absolutely no idea. Bakelants is just there to be annoying and make headlines by saying ̂things he doesnt even believe himself, Boonen is quiet funny but he doesn't even follow cycling properly anymore, uijterhoeve is just a moron and Van Gucht is just there to show off his hair.

Anyways i answered properly in an edit.

I don't really get to watch Sporza these days anymore, but I think the brightest bulb they have (aside from de Cauwer) is probably Paul Herygers? Although they only seem to use him for cyclocross, unfortunately. I'm talking in general now, not just Wielerclub Wattage.

 

[Berniece]

Let's be honest, Belgian media is absolutely awful for talents. They all want to act like they know it better constantly, what riders need to do, what they are supposed to win, etc. They just can't shut up or let them grow in peace. It is a real problem.

And for De Lie it might be even worse, cause he has the whole Walloon side of Belgian following him closely.

Sure it’s a problem, but De Lie also has been vocal about his expectations last and this season. Obviously this will be well documented because it generates clicks in Belgium. Media should protect these youngsters but they don’t care.

Disagree with you on those guys. (Shocker, I know)

Bakelants is the more insightful one of the panel. And arguably probably one of the most intelligent voices in cycling. It just doens't seem that way because every genuine statement or comment gets immediately clowned on by De Wolf and Uijterhoeven.
Boonen still follows cycling and tbh, his expertise is still of the charts. But the entire concept of the show went downhill when they made Uijterhoeven a regular after his one stint where he stood in for someone who was sick.
I used to be a fan but Sporza decided to cater it to a more broader general public and it shows. It's crap, surely now Uijterhoeven has gotten the all-free with his stupid AI-jokes and his "pralinees".

Just today I was thinking that the show went downhill. I don’t mind Uijterhoeven, and don’t think it’s due to him, it’s just that they barely talk long enough about something interesting. Those true/false stories, the ranking in Wielermanager just takes time away from talking about cycling.