Troubled Lotto-Intermarché delivers reassuring news on three leaders

Lotto-Intermarché has been taking hits in recent weeks. The Belgian fusion team saw its key riders sidelined, but sporting manager Kurt Van de Wouwer now brings reassuring news.

Arnaud De Lie, Lennert Van Eetvelt, Jenno Berckmoes, Lionel Taminiaux, Lars Craps... Lotto-Intermarché’s infirmary was quite full. Taminiaux (broken collarbone) and Craps (new knee injury) will be out for an extended period, but the team leaders are now on the road to recovery.

“Lennert Van Eetvelt crashed at the Tour Down Under and injured his elbow and knee. But Lennert has recovered well and will head to the UAE Tour with ambitions,” Van de Wouwer explained in an interview with Sporza.

De Lie—who has not raced yet this year—was dealing with an ankle injury. “That prevented him from training at full intensity during the early January training camp. But meanwhile, his sprint sessions are going smoothly again. His season debut in Almeria (15/02) is not at risk.”

“It wasn’t ideal. But it definitely won’t jeopardize his spring season,” Van de Wouwer remains hopeful. “By the time of Omloop, Arnaud should have gained a few percentage points.”

Shadow leader Jenno Berckmoes had to delay his season start due to health issues. “He wasn’t 100% when he returned from the training camp and had to postpone his season opener as a precaution. But everything is back on track now. Jenno is on schedule for his first race: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.”