Lotto-Soudal CEO John Lelangue insists that the team will continue to race aggressively in 2022, not overly concerned with UCI points, despite the team's threatened relegation to the WorldTour in 2023.

As Cycling News reported this week, there are only 18 WorldTour slots available starting in 2023, and the UCI is expected to draw a line under the top teams in the points standings from 2020 to 2022. Lotto Soudal is currently ranked 20th, behind Cofidis, Intermarché Wantigovert, and Israel Premier Tech.

They also face challenges from ambitious teams such as Arkea Samsic, Total Energy, and Uno X, but Lelangue is not concerned about their ranking, nor is he concerned about Soudal's move to Patrick Lefebvre's Quick Step team next year

"I'm not worried about the ranking.

"Knowing early on that Soudal was leaving gave us an advantage," says Lelangue, according to Wielerflits.nl (opens in new tab). 'This is an opportunity for us and for our partners. We have several contacts now, and they are positive. Many companies want to share the same values as our team. Our team is attractive enough. In addition, with National Lotteries we have a stable main sponsor with a long history in cycling. But when asked if it has already been signed, he said, 'No, not yet today. There is still time.'

Lelangue admitted that 2021 did not go much the way they wanted it to. The team finished 18th in the world rankings, behind Arkea Samsic, with 12 wins.

"Well, last year was a bad year," Lelangue said, but pointed to Florian Vermeersch's breakthrough in Paris-Roubaix and Brent van Moer's stage win at the Criterium du Dauphiné.

"With Caleb Yuan (2nd) in Milan-San Remo and Florian Vermeersch in Paris-Roubaix, we have two podiums in the Monument. And we won 12 races, eight of them on the World Tour."

Lotto Soudal has a history of frequent attacks and breakaways by the likes of Thomas De Gendt and Tim Wellens. Teams on the verge of losing their place in the WorldTour are allowed to race more conservatively, but that is not Lelangue's plan.

"We enjoyed an aggressive style of racing, but that doesn't earn UCI points. That system doesn't fit our style of racing. But it is in our DNA. We don't want to change that."

Lelangue also brushed off rumors that Caleb Yuan, the team's highest ranked rider in 2021, might be sent to a smaller race so that the team could earn enough points to maintain its top class status--a one-day race in the Pro Series in the Tour de France is worth more than a stage in the Tour de France.

"I'm confident of being in the top 18. I'm confident of being in the top 18, without changing Caleb's program. He just added Ghent-Wevelgem and De Panne compared to last year." Compared to last year, he just added Gent-Wevelghem and De Panne. But we are going to score points. Caleb's sprint train has been strengthened. The youngsters are also developing. I have high hopes for [Neo Pro's] Arnaud Des Rieres. Victor (Campenaerts) has also joined us. We will continue to race aggressively. We will continue to race aggressively and not be too concerned about points. They will come naturally."

He expects Philippe Gilbert, who finished fifth in points at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2021, to help mentor the younger riders.

"There is no doubt that Gilbert will get results. But he is also important to the team as a mentor and a born leader. When he speaks, everyone listens." But whether he will compete in the Tour de France remains to be seen." He is among the 10 pre-selected riders, but if he is not in condition, Phil will not claim the spot. He is that fair.