Arnaud De Lie's 2026 cycling season is shrouded in uncertainty after a domestic accident left him with an injured ankle. The Belgian star, known for his speed and success, is now facing a question mark over the exact date of his season start. Despite this setback, De Lie remains optimistic and determined to hit the ground running in 2026. His difficult first half of 2025, due to injuries and sickness, was followed by a dramatic improvement towards the end of the year. However, a fresh injury after falling down the stairs during the Christmas break has set him back again. De Lie's positive attitude and the support of his team, Lotto-Intermarché, are evident as he plans to return to full training soon and get back into racing despite some potential delays. The team's launch event earlier this week showcased De Lie's determination and the squad's progress, despite some behind-the-scenes hiccups during the fusion of Intermarché and Lotto. De Lie's appreciation for the new squad's progress was palpable, and he is now looking forward to the upcoming races, including the Clásica Almería and Volta ao Algarve. However, the ankle injury is a setback, and he will need to be in top shape for the Opening Weekend and Tirreno-Adriatico. The second half of the season is already pencilled in, with the Tour de France and Canadian Classics, where he won in Québec in 2023, on the horizon. Meanwhile, one of Belgium's up-and-coming news stars, De Lie's teammate Jarno Widar, has been confirmed as a possible starter at the Vuelta a España. The 2025 Under-23 European Road Champion will coincide with De Lie at the Volta ao Algarve, before focusing on the Ardennes Classics. The Giro d'Italia, previously considered for the former Giro Next Gen racer, has now been ruled out, but a start in Spain's Grand Tour this August could still be on the cards.
