PREVIEW & FAVOURITES | Renewi Tour 2025 stage 2 - Merlier the main favourite but echelons chaos is expected again
Cycling
From the 20th to the 24th of August the World Tour peloton returns to the Benelux, but not for one-day races this time around, but instead some high-octane stage-racing. The Renewi Tour often provides opportunities for the classics specialists, sprinters and time-trialists to all battle for quality results. We preview stage 2.
The second day of racing sees the riders start in Belgium, right by the sea in Blankeberge in another day where the wind can cause serious damage. once again we should expect lightning fast speeds on the day as there is not a single tiny climb to point out on the day.
The riders will race towards the center of the country and a bunch sprint finish is expected in Ardooie, a relatively urban sprint that could be treacherous and very fast. Very strong northern winds will once again create havoc with quite a lot of certainty, even though the day isn't as well suited to create splits as was the case today. But there will be several crosswind sections and overall a lot of tailwind which will make this a very fast stage and one where attacks from early on can compensate.
Tim Merlier will still start off the stage as the main favourite as he is the strongest sprinter in the race, as a quality leadout and also has experience in this type of racing. Many others will be on the lookout for any opportunity whilst the GC contenders will also try to be in front at all times to avoid losing time in the eve of the queen stage.
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Stage 2: Blankenberge - Ardooide, 172.9 kilometers
Prediction Renewi Tour 2025 stage 2:
*** Tim Merlier
** Olav Kooij, Arnaud de Lie
* Juan Sebastian Molano, Mathieu van der Poel, Pavel Bittner, Milan Fretin, Biniam Girmay, Dylan Groenewegen, Arvid de Kleijn, Sam Welsford, Paul Penhoët, Ben Turner
** Olav Kooij, Arnaud de Lie
* Juan Sebastian Molano, Mathieu van der Poel, Pavel Bittner, Milan Fretin, Biniam Girmay, Dylan Groenewegen, Arvid de Kleijn, Sam Welsford, Paul Penhoët, Ben Turner
Pick: Tim Merlier
How: Regular bunch sprint.
Original: Rúben Silva
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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