De Lie describes manure-related illness that threatened his Giro – 'It was really super weird'

Arnaud De Lie, the prodigious talent from Lotto Dstny, recently revealed that a severe illness, likely contracted from manure exposure during the Famenne Ardennes Classic, jeopardized his Giro d'Italia debut. The incident occurred shortly after his first victory of the 2026 season at the aforementioned Classic, just five days before the Grand Tour commenced. De Lie described the experience as "super weird," indicating a significant and unexpected health setback that impacted his preparation and early performance in Italy.

This bizarre episode adds another chapter to De Lie's challenging early career, which has seen him frequently sidelined by illness or injury since his breakthrough in 2022. While his raw power is undeniable, consistent health has proven elusive, often disrupting his momentum and preventing him from fully capitalizing on his potential in major races. For Lotto Dstny, who have heavily invested in De Lie as their future Classics leader, such unpredictable setbacks are a recurring frustration, impacting their strategic planning and his development.

One might say De Lie’s season has been, quite literally, mired in misfortune. For a rider of his calibre, it's a stark reminder that even the most promising talents aren't immune to the sport's more… organic hazards.