Arnaud De Lie wins queen stage of Renewi Tour as Tim Wellens takes overall win once again

Tim Wellens has won the overall classification of the Renewi Tour and has defended his title from 2023. The UAE Team Emirates rider put on a brilliant performance on stage 5 of the Belgian race whilst Arnaud De Lie matched him and won in Geraardsbergen.

A breakaway of over 20 riders formed in what was the queen stage of the race. This also included very strong riders who were initial favourites for the stage win such as Matteo Trentin, Nils Politt, Marco Haller and Per Strand Hagenes. The group never enjoyed much of a gap but that didn't mean that in the peloton it was smooth sailing.

Lotto Dstny obviously committed, but several teams kept the gap under control and put on a very high pace all throughout the day. But has soon as the peloton entered the Geraardsbergen circuit and it's final three laps... Dries de Bondt began to kick off the action in the front, with the group then splitting with the strongest maintaining a gap over the peloton - many being caught with the ferocious pace behind.

With 50 kilometers to go everything was already kicking off in the peloton as well with the likes of Alberto Bettiol and Arnaud De Lie moving off the front. The front group was hard to close but with the temporary work of several teams with a strong pace, the gaps were eventually closed. In the penultimate climb of the Muur de Geraardsbergen the catch was made with Tim Wellens attacking matched by Arnaud De Lie (and Hagenes who hung on). Matej Mohoric, Stan Dewulf and Rick Pluimers then joined, with a group of around 20 chasing with 15 kilometers to go.

On the final ascent Wellens attacked once again with only De Lie following. Wellens kept a high pace to conquer the overall classification whilst the Belgian champion gave help in some occasions and then sprinted to victory in Geraardsbergen. Valentin Madouas rode to third place on the day.

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