ProTeam Arnaud De Lie builds on good form with 3rd place in stage 9 of the Tour de France

“In the first sprint stage, I was too kind. Yesterday, in the second, I was already showing more assertiveness. But today, I truly felt like a sprinter again.” That third place in stage 9, finishing in Châteauroux, clearly did De Lie a lot of good. He only had to concede to Tim Merlier and green jersey Jonathan Milan. “The goal was to be on their wheel. Staying ahead of the two best sprinters in the world… that turned out to be too difficult. But if I can place myself next to those two in third, then I’m super proud. I could count on my team all day. I was where I needed to be, and I got a great lead-out. I’m especially grateful to them.”

“At first glance, you might think disappointment would dominate, because I was so close. But that’s not the case. I didn’t win, but I made progress again. The feeling is back. It’s like something has clicked now. I feel mentally strong again, and my legs are responding.”

Picture: PhotoNews