Jasper De Buyst will start his tenth season with Lotto-Dstny in 2024. The 30-year-old Belgian is one of the pillars of the team led by CEO Stéphane Heulot. At the team’s media day, he commented, among other topics, on his 2023 and the possibilities of success of the team’s main sprinter, the young Arnaud de Lie.
Difficult start
De Buyst, 30, went through several difficult moments during a challenging spring, which were however followed by a successful second half of the season, as the Belgian reported to Dutch website Indeleiderstrui.
“I had to deal with a serious Covid infection. I suffered with this for a long time. A few years ago, I also had a corona infection, but it ended after a few days.”
“Leaving spring aside then. From June onwards, around the time of the Baloise Belgium Tour (finished in 6th place in the Tour of Belgium) and the Belgian Championship, things went well. I was able to compete for victory in almost every race I did. The intention now is to continue until spring 2024.”
Arnaud de Lie, the team’s great hope
“With Arnaud we obviously have someone in the team who can really win big races. So it’s important to let your own success happen. And that comes naturally to me too. Therefore, I will certainly not seek leadership.” De Buyst reveals that he also expects a lot from the Bull of Lescheret , as De Lie is known.
Clashes with Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van Der Poel
When possible duels with Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, De Buyst are discussed, he does not hide his opinion and seems to leave a warning to the team’s main sprinter.
“If you look at the last few weeks, it is clear that it is mainly Van der Poel who is talking. This doesn’t necessarily scare me, as he is, along with Tadej Pogacar, the most talented cyclist there is. In terms of talent, no one comes close.”
Arnaud de Lie was supposed to face the Classics as well as Mads Pedersen. This is someone he should emulate. Mirroring someone like Van der Poel is almost impossible. Of course, no one is unbeatable. But someone like Pedersen is a great role model for Arnaud,” said Jasper de Buyst.
