The Renewi Tour 2026 is set to be an exciting five-day cycling race in Belgium, featuring a mix of cobbled stages, hilly days, and tricky bunch sprints. With the final third of the season underway, many classics specialists are targeting this race as a key goal. The race has a rich history, dating back to its first edition in 2005, which was won by American Bobby Julich. Over the years, it has attracted a diverse range of winners, including time trial specialists like Tony Martin and Tom Dumoulin, cyclocross-classics specialists such as Lars Boom and Mathieu van der Poel, and climbers like Laurens de Plus. The route varies, favoring different types of riders, with Tim Wellens holding the record for the most overall wins. The 2025 edition saw Arnaud de Lie conquer the overall classification in a close battle with Mathieu van der Poel.
The 2026 edition promises an open race with no clear favorite. The absence of Mathieu van der Poel and the low form of defending champion Arnaud de Lie create an intriguing dynamic. Teams with depth, such as UAE, Decathlon, Red Bull, and INEOS, have strong contenders like Florian Vermeersch, Tiesj Benoot, Paul Lapeira, Laurence Pithie, Tim van Dijke, Ben Turner, Magnus Sheffield, and Sam Watson. Jasper Philipsen, Matej Mohoric, Jonas Abrahamsen, Matteo Trentin, Lukas Kubis, and Jon Barrenetxea are also in the mix. The overall classification battle is wide open, with many riders in contention.
Stage 1 of the Renewi Tour 2026 features a strong sprinter field, including Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, and Jonathan Milan. The stage is explosive, with two cobbled ascents tackled twice and a final circuit with four laps and a 400-meter climb at 5.5%. The stage is likely to finish in a sprint, but with several obstacles, it's not a certainty. The three best sprinters in the world are present, with Paul Magnier the only notable absentee. Dylan Groenewegen, Biniam Girmay, and Olav Kooij are also in the mix, along with top sprinters like Soren Waerensjold, Arnaud de Lie, and Sam Welsford.
The stage profiles are as follows:
- Stage 1: Diest - Diest (191 km), a cobbled/hilly stage with two ascents and a final circuit.
- Stage 2: Blankenberge - Ardooie (174 km), a flat stage in the Flandrien region with strong winds and exposed roads.
- Stage 3: Celles - Geraardsbergen (181 km), the queen 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 and a hilltop for late attacks.
- Stage 5: Leuven - Leuven (183 km), a technical stage with a circuit featuring three ascents and opportunities for attacks.
The Renewi Tour has a rich history of winners, with Tim Wellens leading the overall wins list. The 2025 edition saw Arnaud de Lie triumph, and the 2026 race is shaping up to be another exciting battle. The stage profiles and the presence of top sprinters and classics specialists make it a must-watch event for cycling enthusiasts.
