The 2026 Renewi Tour promises an exhilarating five-day cycling spectacle in Belgium, featuring a mix of cobbled stages, hilly terrain, and tricky bunch sprints. With a rich history dating back to 2005, the race has attracted some of the world's top classics specialists, including time trial masters like Tony Martin and Tom Dumoulin, and cyclocross legends such as Lars Boom and Mathieu van der Poel. The 2026 edition, sponsored by Renewi, is set to be a thrilling affair, with an open overall classification battle and a strong sprinter field.
The Open Overall Classification Battle
What makes the 2026 Renewi Tour particularly intriguing is the absence of Mathieu van der Poel and the low form of defending champion Arnaud de Lie. This opens up the race for a wide range of riders, with no clear favorite. Teams like UAE and their backup Florian Vermeersch, Per Strand Hagenes, Soren Kragh Andersen, Alberto Bettiol, and Fred Wright, as well as the likes of Tiesj Benoot and Paul Lapeira from Decathlon, and Laurence Pithie and Tim van Dijke from Red Bull, all have a chance at the sole leadership. The depth of these teams gives them an advantage in a race that favors classics specialists but isn't overly selective.
The Sprinter Field
The sprinter field for Stage 1 is arguably the strongest of the season, featuring Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, and Jonathan Milan. These three are among the best sprinters in the world, with the only notable absentee being Paul Magnier. Behind them, there's a strong contingent of pure sprinters like Dylan Groenewegen, Biniam Girmay, and Olav Kooij. Top sprinters like Soren Waerensjold, Arnaud de Lie, Pavel Bittner, Juan Sebastián Molano, and Sam Welsford also have the potential to make a splash. The stage profile, starting and finishing in Diest, features two cobbled ascents tackled twice, followed by a final circuit with a 400-meter climb at 5.5%, making it a challenging and explosive day.
Stage Profiles
- Stage 1: Diest - Diest (191 km) - An explosive stage with two cobbled ascents tackled twice and a final circuit with a 400-meter climb at 5.5%.
- Stage 2: Blankenberge - Ardooie (174 km) - A flat stage in the Flandrien region, with strong winds and exposed roads, making it a dangerous sprint stage.
- Stage 3: Celles - Geraardsbergen (181 km) - The queen stage, featuring the 'Geraardsbergen stage' with climbs like the Knokteberg, Paterberg, Oude Kruisberg, and Berg ten Houte, followed by a circuit with the Denderoordberg, Muur de Geraardsbergen, and Bosberg.
- Stage 4: Riemst - Bilzen (187 km) - A rugged stage with small climbs throughout, a hilltop for late attacks, and a small uphill sprint in Bilzen.
- Stage 5: Leuven - Leuven (183 km) - A technical stage with a three-ascent design, featuring plenty of opportunities for attacks and a potential bunch sprint.
Predictions
- Overall Classification: Tiesj Benoot, Florian Vermeersch, Laurence Pithie, Tim van Dijke, Ben Turner, Per Strand Hagenes, Arnaud de Lie, Jasper Philipsen, Paul Lapeira, Magnus Sheffield, Jonas Abrahamsen, Alberto Bettiol, Fred Wright, Lukas Kubis.
- Stage 1: Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, Jonathan Milan, Olav Kooij, Biniam Girmay, Dylan Groenewegen, Pavel Bittner, Arnaud de Lie, Tom Crabbe, Soren Waerensjold, Arne Marit, Juan Sebastián Molano, Sam Welsford, Arvid de Kleijn, Madis Mihkels, Davide Ballerini.
As the 2026 Renewi Tour unfolds, the excitement builds, with the stage profiles and sprinter fields setting the stage for a thrilling race. The absence of certain favorites and the presence of strong contenders make this edition a must-watch for cycling enthusiasts, offering a wide range of possibilities and a chance for new stars to emerge.
