In just his third race as a professional, Lotto Soudal rider Arnaud De Lie took his first pro victory, winning the Trofeo Palma on the island of Mallorca. The 19-year-old Belgian neo-pro, who stepped up from the Lotto Soudal Development Team this season, was the fastest in the closing race of the five-day Challenge Mallorca. During a bunch kick, it was De Lie who launched an impressive sprint and beat the Colombian Juan Sebastián Molano and the Belgian Sasha Weemaes.
With a relatively flat course, the race was announced as one for the fast guys. However, the Coll de Sa Creu, at 35 kilometres from the finish caused some splits in the bunch. Eventually, the gaps remained small, the peloton came together again and a sprint took place in the streets of Palma de Mallorca. It was Lotto Soudal rider Arnaud De Lie who emerged victorious in only his third race as a pro.
“I am lost for words, it is just unbelievable to take my first pro victory during my third race as a professional cyclist”, begins Arnaud De Lie, “The team believed in my chances today. It didn’t cause stress, but I obviously wanted to do the best I could. Thanks to fantastic team work, I reached the summit of the final climb in a perfect position. Afterwards, my teammates rode their hearts out to keep me on the front rows of the bunch. I was also lucky with Michael Schwarzmann at my side, who guided me perfectly during the final kilometres. During the sprint, I chose the right wheels I suppose and I could take my first pro victory.”
After the Trofeo Palma, Arnaud immediately showed his gratitude towards his teammates. “I finished the job in the sprint, but this really is a team victory. My teammates assisted me perfectly in the final, from the run-up to the final climb until the line. I am very grateful for all the work they did today.”
With victories in the Trofeo Tramuntana and Trofeo Palma, Lotto Soudal can look back on a successful start of the season on the island of Mallorca.
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