Does Lotto-Intermarché replace Arnaud De Lie with French underdogs?

Not only at Soudal Quick-Step but also within the ranks of Lotto-Intermarché, significant changes seem to be underway with an eye on 2027. After a third consecutive failed spring season, Arnaud De Lie appears to be on his way out.

According to HLN, Lotto-Intermarché has not yet completely given up hope, but the newspaper suggests that an extended stay seems unlikely. CEO Jean-François Bourlart is reportedly not very proactive in handling the situation. Meanwhile, both Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Tudor are serious contenders looking to recruit the Waloon rider.

With that freed-up budget, the team aims to add several French rising stars to the roster. Again, according to HLN, this move comes at the request of the French main sponsor Intermarché. Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies), and Alex Baudin (EF Education-EasyPost) are just some of the names being linked to the team for 2027.

Madouas is not having his best season but has already proven himself in one-day races. He stood on the podium at the Olympic road race, the Tour of Flanders, and won the Bretagne Classic. Jeannière currently mostly sprints for top placings in second-tier races but rarely wins. Baudin, on the other hand, has been one of the revelations of the year, with ninth places in Paris-Nice and the Tour of the Basque Country.

Finally, the 17-year-old Brandon Fedrizzi is also set to be added to the roster. The young Italian won the E3 Saxo Classic for juniors earlier this season.