Renewi Tour 2026 stage 5 preview, profiles, favourites & predictions - Philipsen or Kooij for stage and GC win?
Cycling
The race has had many names attached to it over the years, and currently it is sponsored by Renewi. The Renewi Tour takes place from the 19th to 23rd of August. 2005 was its first edition, and it was immediately won by American Bobby Julich. The race, right from its first year, had a major international reputation, and that never slowed down.
The list of winners includes major time trial specialists such as Tony Martin and Tom Dumoulin; cyclocross-classics specialists such as Lars Boom, Zdenek Stybar, and, of course, Mathieu van der Poel; Other classics specialists like Niki Terpstra, Matej Mohoric, and Sonny Colbrelli, and even a climber in Laurens de Plus.
The route varies over the years and favours different types of riders. Tim Wellens is the record holder with three overall wins, whilst in 2025 Arnaud de Lie conquered the overall classification after a formidable battle with Mathieu van der Poel.
Renewi Tour 2026 Route and Stage Schedule
| Stage | Date | Start Town | Finish Town | Distance (km) | Stage Type |
| 1 | 19 Aug 2026 | Diest | Diest | 191 | Cobbled/Hilly |
| 2 | 20 Aug 2026 | Blankenberge | Ardooie | 174 | Flat |
| 3 | 21 Aug 2026 | Celles | Geraardsbergen | 181 | Cobbled/Hilly |
| 4 | 22 Aug 2026 | Riemst | Bilzen | 187 | Flat |
| 5 | 23 Aug 2026 | Leuven | Leuven | 183 | Hilly |
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 5
With Jasper Philipsen now in the race lead, the GC looks to be decided. Yes, the gaps are small, but Jenno Berckmoes will obviously be covered and the climbs are not hard enough to make differences. It's terrain for tactical maneuvers, but last year we've seen how the race not being selective leads to there being plenty reams to try and bring the race back.
Olav Kooij might win the stage, but not the GC over Philipsen. Alec Segaert and Florian Vermeersch might be some of the only riders who have the potential to get away in that finale.
A sprint between those who survive is the likely scenario to decide the stage, very much based on the feeling of the day. Tim Merlier didn't look bad today, but I do assume he won't have the legs to follow all throughout the finale of the course.
Biniam Girmay, Marijn van der Berg, Mike Teunissen or Soren Waerenskjold if he recovers from today's crash are the outsiders.
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Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 stage 5:
*** Jasper Philipsen, Olav Kooij
** Marijn van den Berg, Biniam Girmay
* Soren Waerenskjold, Tim Merlier, Florian Vermeersch, Alec Segaert, Sam Watson, Robert Donaldson, Mike Teunissen, Pavel Bittner
Pick: Jasper Philipsen
How: Small bunch sprint.
Stage 5: Leuven - Leuven
Leuven - Leuven, 183 kilometers
The race ends in Leuven with the same circuit that saw last year's dramatic finale. The city hosted the 2021 World Championships and the circuit is designed for explosive racing.
In the roads of Leuven, putting on an organized chase is very hard. The stage is 183 kilometers long and the final 50 will be inside the city, with its three-ascent design featuring plenty opportunities for attacks.
The climbs are interesting, but the technical aspect of the circuit makes it specially attractive for attacks - including long-range ones. Tactical racing is assured, whilst a bunch sprint of some sorts also can't be ruled out.
Previous previews
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 overall classifcation
Unlike last year, the overall classification battle appears to be very open. Mathieu van der Poel is not present, and whilst defending champion Arnaud de Lie is, his form over the past few months has been very low.
Hence it is an open race for plenty riders, and no clear favourite. UAE back up Florian Vermeersch and the likes of Per Strand Hagenes, Soren Kragh Andersen, Alberto Bettiol and Fred Wright get a sole leadership that can be quite interesting and motivating.
Decathlon have both Tiesj Benoot and Paul Lapeira who will be dangerous; Red Bull have Laurence Pithie and Tim van Dijke; INEOS have Ben Turner, Magnus Sheffield and Sam Watson... Teams with depth have the advantage here, in a race with a few stages that are for the classics specialists but are not overly selective.
Jasper Philipsen, Matej Mohoric, Jonas Abrahamsen, Matteo Trentin, Lukas Kubis and Jon Barrenetxea are also interesting riders to take into consideration for the overall classification.
Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 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, Sam Watson, Jonas Abrahamsen, Alberto Bettiol, Fred Wright, Lukas Kubis
Pick: Laurence Pithie
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 1
The sprinter field here is perhaps the best out of the entire season. We have Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen and Jonathan Milan all lining up at the start in pursuit of success in the bunch sprints and this first stage will certainly feature one. It's an explosive day, but the climbs are not meaningful and there are too many interests to bring it back to a sprint.
The three best sprinters in the world are present - although you would include Paul Magnier in that conversation, who is the only one missing here. Behind them there is equal quality almost in the pure sprinter Dylan Groenewegen; whilst both Biniam Girmay and Olav Kooij are also present.
Soren Waerensjold, Arnaud de Lie, Pavel Bittner, Juan Sebastián Molano and Sam Welsford are all, on their best day, also top sprinters who can grab an opportunity with certainty.
Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 stage 1:
*** Tim Merlier, Jasper Philipsen, Jonathan Milan
** Olav Kooij, Biniam Girmay, Dylan Groenewegen
* Pavel Bittner, Arnaud de Lie, Tom Crabbe, Soren Waerenskjold, Arne Marit, Juan Sebastián Molano, Sam Welsford, Arvid de Kleijn, Madis Mihkels, Davide Ballerini
Pick: Tim Merlier
Profile stage 1: Diest - Diest
Diest - Diest, 191 kilometers
The race begins in Diest and the opening stage will both start and finish in the Belgian city. It will immediately be an explosive stage, where a few riders may look to get ahead in the fight for the overall classification.
The stage features two cobbled ascents which will be tackled twice; and then a final circuit that will have four laps and a small climb of 400 meters at 5.5% - with a golden kilometer placed 21 kilometers from the finish.
A stage that is likely to finish in a sprint once again in Diest, however not something that can be said with certainty with quite a few obstacles in the day.
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 2
The first stage of the race already gave us some good indications, however we must be honest in accessing that every sprint is different. We know who is in form, but not who may not be. Jonathan Milan in any instance has the form but also the confidence, clearly shown today with another stage win on top of what he had achieved in Pologne.
But he is not dealing with a field that he can decimate. Olav Kooij was incredibly close today and was just about to snatch the win from him; Tim Merlier continues to be a major sprinter capable of winning a sprint even if he starts it from far away; whilst Jasper Philipsen continues to be the daredevil sprinter who can save energy with his incredibly positioning skills and enter fresher than his rivals.
But the truth is that the field of sprinters is almost unheard of, unreal quality shown as we can see the likes of Dylan Groenewegen - who missed it today, Biniam Girmay, Sam Welsford, Arnaud de Lie, Soren Waerenskjold and even a seemingly revived Sam Bennett in the mix.
Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 stage 2:
*** Tim Merlier, Jonathan Milan, Olav Kooij
** Jasper Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen
* Biniam Girmay, Sam Welsford, Sam Bennett, Pavel Bittner, Arnaud de Lie, Arne Marit, Soren Waerenskjold, Arvid de Kleijn, Mike Teunissen,Ivan García Cortina
Pick: Tim Merlier
Profile stage 2: Blankenberge - Ardooie
Blankeberge - Ardooie, 174 kilometers
Stage 2 takes place in the Flandrien flatlands. The region often has very strong wind and exposed roads, making a seemingly innocent sprint stage one that can be very dangerous, and crucial for the overall classifications.
The riders do not tackle a single climb throughout the day, and have a golden kilometer with 20 to go. But after the start in Blankenberge, it is still inevitable that a bunch sprint will decide things in Ardooie.
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 3
The queen stage of the race, this year without a man to beat. Arnaud de Lie is the perfect man for this course and he has shown it on several occasions, but by no means can we be sure of his form. The Lotto rider may still surprise, but he will have strong competition on the climbs to match.
Florian Vermeersch leads UAE and whilst the steep climbs are not his specialty, the Belgian may have enough power to really make the selection. Alongside him is Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe who will want to do the same, having Laurence Pithie and Tim van Dijke as two very explosive riders who thrive in this type of terrain - but more so when it lacks the distance and overall tension.
This is terrain where the selection will be made on Geraardsbergen, but the winning moves may happen in the middle of the circuit. Puncheurs and cobbled classics specialists alike can do quite well. Paul Lapeira, Toms Skujins, Sam Watson, Lukas Kubis and Quinten Hermans are dangerous and well capable of winning.
The likes of Jasper Philipsen and Ivan García Cortina lean more towards the sprinting side but handle the classics terrain well and can also fight for the first positions - or victory, if it comes down to a larger group sprint. Others such as Magnus Sheffield and Alec Segaert can be very dangerous with solo moves.
Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 stage 3:
*** Laurence Pithie, Florian Vermeersch
** Arnaud de Lie, Tim van Dijke
* Paul Lapeira, Tom Skujins, Sam Watson, Lukas Kubis, Quinten Hermans, Jasper Philipsen, Alec Segaert, Magnus Sheffield
Pick: Laurence Pithie
How: Small group sprint.
Profile stage 3: Celles - Geraardsbergen
Celles - Geraardsbergen, 181 kilometers
The queen stage is one that is familiar to the riders that participate in the spring classics. The peloton takes on the 'Geraardsbergen stage' on the third day of racing, likely the most important of the week.
Climbs such as the Knokteberg, the Paterberg, Oude Kruisberg and Berg ten Houte are all climbed early in the day, before the riders move on to the circuit that will decide the stage.
The riders climb the full Denderoordberg (700 meters at 7%); Muur de Geraardsbergen (1.2Km; 7.1%) and Bosberg (1.4Km at 4.6%) on two separate occasions. Each time, the steep 'Muur' packs the chance to blow the race to bits in its narrow road and extremely steep sections.
The riders then on one more occasion go up the Denderoordberg with a mere 5 kilometers to go, before finishing in the center of Geraardsbergen with an iconic cobbled uphill sprint.
Preview Renewi Tour 2026 Stage 4
A stage with a lot of bumps, but it will be hard to prevent a sprint. Yes, we will have riders who want it: Florian Vermeersch, Tim van Dijke, Alec Segaert, Matteo Trentin... All quality riders, who can usually make the difference, but the terrain will not offer up efforts that are much longer than a minute and in such circumstances it's hard to distance those who can at least do the minimal good climbing.
Some sprinters such as Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier may struggle if the pace is quite high, specially in that final hilltop - above all, drained from their power by the time a sprint may come. But only in very specific circumstances will a group stay away, specially taking into consideration how both Lotto (due to small gaps) and Alpecin (to bring it back to a Philipsen sprint) are likely to go all-out in not letting anyone else go. But Decathlon and Uno-X, at the very least, are also likely to work towards a sprint.
The truth is that is Jasper Philipsen, Olav Kooij and Arnaud de Lie all finished amongst the very best in Geraardsbergen, this terrain won't put them in difficulty. They will resist, and they will also be the main favourites to win the stage. Soren Waerenksjold can be added as a very dangerous outsider.
But aside from them, others have shown good form today. Pavel Bittner and Marijn van den Berg also finished amongst the best for example, and nothing stops them from benefiting in a day that is expected to be fast and chaotic, but with a sprint predicted and the pressure on their rivals.
Prediction Renewi Tour 2026 stage 4:
*** Jasper Philipsen, Olav Kooij
** Tim Merlier, Arnaud de Lie, Soren Waerenskjold
* Jonathan Milan, Florian Vermeersch, Alec Segaert, Laurence Pithie, Filippo Fiorelli, Pavel Bittner, Mike Teunissen, Quinten Hermans, Lukas Kubis, Marijn van den Berg, Matteo Trentin
Pick: Jasper Philipsen
How: Small bunch sprint.
Profile stage 4: Riemst - Bilzen
Riemst - Bilzen, 187 kilometers
The fourth stage of the race is a rugged one, going through the traditionally explosive Belgian terrain that favours the classics specialists. With the overall classification at play, such a stage could detonate.
There are plenty small climbs throughout the day in what is essentially a circuit stage. They are all short, and not overly explosive, but the roads will feature a constant up and down.
With only 7.5 kilometers to go there is a small hilltop that can be used for late attacks, whilst the golden kilometer is 25 kilometers away from the finish. In Bilzen, the sprint also packs a small uphill gradient.
List of winners Renewi Tour
| Year | Winner | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| 2025 | Arnaud De Lie | Mathieu van der Poel | Tim Wellens |
| 2024 | Tim Wellens | Alec Segaert | Per Strand Hagenes |
| 2023 | Tim Wellens | Florian Vermeersch | Yves Lampaert |
| 2022 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | Sonny Colbrelli | Matej Mohorič | Victor Campenaerts |
| 2020 | Mathieu van der Poel | Tim Wellens | Nils Eekhoff |
| 2019 | Laurens De Plus | Oliver Naesen | Tim Wellens |
| 2018 | Matej Mohorič | Michael Matthews | Tim Wellens |
| 2017 | Tom Dumoulin | Tim Wellens | Sacha Modolo |
| 2016 | Niki Terpstra | Oliver Naesen | Peter Sagan |
| 2015 | Tim Wellens | Greg Van Avermaet | Tiesj Benoot |
| 2014 | Tim Wellens | Lars Boom | Tom Dumoulin |
| 2013 | Zdeněk Štybar | Tom Dumoulin | Andriy Grivko |
| 2012 | Lars Boom | Sylvain Chavanel | Niki Terpstra |
| 2011 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Philippe Gilbert | David Millar |
| 2010 | Tony Martin | Koos Moerenhout | Edvald Boasson Hagen |
| 2009 | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Sylvain Chavanel | Sebastian Langeveld |
| 2008 | José Iván Gutiérrez | Sébastien Rosseler | Michael Rogers |
| 2007 | José Iván Gutiérrez | David Millar | Gustav Larsson |
| 2006 | Stefan Schumacher | George Hincapie | Vincenzo Nibali |
| 2005 | Bobby Julich | Erik Dekker | Leif Hoste |
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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