Tour de Luxembourg 2026 GC & stage 1 previews, profiles, favourites & predictions - Mathieu van der Poel's big pre-world championships test
CyclingTuesday, 15 September 2026 at 13:23
From the 16th to the 20th of September, the peloton will be taking on the Tour de Luxembourg. With Mathieu van der Poel on the start line, the race will largely be seen as one of the main avenues of preparation towards the 2026 World Championships. We preview the race ahead, looking at its stages and favourites.
The race was first held in 1935, having its first three editions conquered by home rider Mathias Clemens. A local race for many decades, most early winners hailed from the small European nation, including the then mythical Charly Gaul who would propel Luxembourg into Tour de France glory in the 1950's.
Over the decades, the race began gaining a larger international reputation, featuring names such as Freddy Maertens and Bernard Hinault as winners. By the time the new century was rolling around, other names such as Lance Armstrong and then Luxembourg's own Frank Schleck also conquered the race.
Often a race decided by its hilly terrain, the classics specialists were those that often thrived in it. Greg van Avermaet was amongst them, whilst time trialists and climbers also enjoyed their run at success. In the 2020's the race has been won by Diego Ulissi, João Almeida, Mattias Skjelmose, Marc Hirschi, Antonio Tiberi and most recently Brandon McNulty.
| Stage | Date | Day | Starting location | Finishing location | Distance | Terrain | CET start | CET finish |
| 1 | 16 Sep 2026 | Wednesday | Luxembourg – Knuedler | Luxembourg – Fëschmaart | 157 km | Hilly | 14:50h | 18:25h |
| 2 | 17 Sep 2026 | Thursday | Differdange/Niederkorn | Junglinster | 167 km | Flat | 14:35h | 18:20h |
| 3 | 18 Sep 2026 | Friday | Wiltz | Diekirch | 180 km | Hilly | 14:00h | 18:05h |
| 4 | 19 Sep 2026 | Saturday | Ettelbruck | Ettelbruck | 20.4 km | Time trial | 16:09h | 18:25h |
| 5 | 20 Sep 2026 | Sunday | Mersch | Luxembourg – Limpertsberg | 177 km | Hilly | 12:20h | 16:20h |
Preview Tour de Luxembourg 2026 overal classification
The overall classification is likely to be decided on the race's time trial, whilst the hilly stages will thin out the list of those fighting for victory. The race is not stacked as it has previously been, and so Mathieu van der Poel is likely to be the main favourite because there are no top climbers who should be able to distance him on the longer climbs, or teams that might outnumber him.
On the longer side of the ascents, riders such as Igor Arrieta and Davide Piganzoli might be threats, whilst UAE and Visma are experienced at racing to win - although both teams are quite young, and under-23 riders are involved. Aurélien Paret-Peintre might also be a threat in this field.
Time trial wise, Soren Kragh Andersen is likely the one rider who could be a major target for van der Poel to distance; whilst mostly it is the teams' depth and tactical play that can pressure him. Andrea Bagioli, Andreas Raccagni, Mikkel Honoré, Neilson Powless and Adria Pericas are all contenders for the GC win.
Prediction Tour de Luxembourg 2026 overall classification:
*** Mathieu van der Poel
** Igor Arrieta, Davide Piganzoli, Andrea Raccagni
* Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Andrea Bagioli, Soren Kragh Andersen, Emiel Verstrynge, Mikkel Honoré, Neilson Powless, Adria Pericas
Pick: Mathieu van der Poel
Preview Tour de Luxembourg 2026 stage 1
The opening stage should be one of the most controlled of the race, if not the most. Mathieu van der Poel is likely to get a clean run-in to the final climbs. Whilst the first is slightly longer, and the likes of Piganzoli, Arrieta or Mikkel Honoré might put him on the limit; I don't think it will be difficult enough for him to get serious distanced.
Even if so, the flat finale and the lack of climbs in the end means he might find allies, or even an Emiel Verstrynge similarly strong. On the final hilltop, van der Poel is written all over.
Other explosive riders such as Andrea Bagioli and Andrea Raccagni can be quite dangerous, but will depend on the Dutchman not having his best legs.
Prediction Tour de Luxembourg 2026 stage 1:
*** Mathieu van der Poel
** Andrea Bagioli, Mikkel Honoré
* Andrea Raccagni, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Emiel Verstrynge, Neilson Powless, Davide Piganzoli, Igor Arrieta, Adrià Pericas
Pick: Mathieu van der Poel
How: Reduced groups sprint.
Profile stage 1: Knuedler - Fëschmaart
Knuedler - Feschmaart, 157 kilometers
The race begins with a stage that starts and finished in the city of Luxembourg itself, heading north into the German border and back. A day for the puncheurs to start things off, as in fact they all are in the Luxembourg race.
The first stage has one main feautre which is the Côte de Stafelter, 2.4 kilometers long at 7%, ending with 9 kilometers to go. There isn't much of a chance for tactical racing on the first day, but a serious attack here will clearly outline those who are able to fight for the overall win, and those who are not.
The riders descend back down and then have a 500-meter long uphill sprint to the line in Fëschmaart at 9%, making it a very explosive and dangerous finale where gaps can be opened up easily.
Profile stage 2: Differdange (Niederkorn) - Junglinster
Differdange - Junglinster, 167 kilometers
The second day of the race features a start in Differdange with relatively flat terrain to be tackled, before a second half of the day that is less difficult but more difficult to control.
The riders head towards Junglinster on the second day, and take on a final circuit that features two small ascents. To be raced twice, it features a 1.5Km long climb at 4.3% (with a bonus sprint on the first lap with 23Km to go); and a 1 kilometer long ascent at 3.4%.
They end with 10 and 5 kilometers respectively, whilst the final 500 meters also feature a slight uphill tilt to the line. If any day is going to be decided in a sprint, it most likely is going to be this stage.
Profile stage 3: Wiltz - Diekirch
Wiltz - Diekirch, 180 kilometers
Stage 3 from Wiltz to Diekirch is a different day the previous ones, with short but very explosive climbs towards the finale, which also features a final circuit. The overall classification can suffer big chances on the third day of racing.
The 180-kilometer long route is not overly difficult until the final hour of racing, that should see non-stop action on a circuit with three climbs. Right before they enter it, with 28 kilometers to go, there is a short steep ascent.
But in the circuit itself, to be tackled twice, there will be three climbs: 1.8Km at 6.1% (12Km to go); 700 meters at 8% (7Km to go); and 1.1Km at 7.2% (3Km to go). From the last one to the finish there is only a short descent and a fast run-in to the line.
Profile stage 4 (ITT): Ettelbruck - Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck - Ettelbruck, 20.4 kilometers
Potentially the queen stage of the race, the Tour de Luxembourg's time trial is 20 kilometers long and might open up gaps like no other stage. It is not a short effort, and not an easy one by any means either.
Starting and finishing in Ettelbruck, the route is 20 kilometers long. In its first third, there is a climb that is 900 meters long at 10%. The riders will still choose their time trial bikes, but face proper climbing challenges on it.
There is no recovery from the climb, instead a plateau section leading to the race's intermediate point. A small climb will follow, whilst the final 3 kilometers will be fully downhill all the way to the finish line.
Profile stage 5: Mersch - Limpertsberg
Mersch - Limpertsberg, 177 kilometers
The final stage of the race is 177 kilometers long and will be a roller-coaster from start to finish. Some longer ascents int he first half of the race might see strong groups going up the road, whilst back in the city of Luxembourg, the GC might be decided on the final punchy hilltops.
The final section of the stage features consecutive efforts, entering a circuit in the middle of them. There will be three ascents of the Pabelergberg, which is 800 meters long at 8.3%.
The first (24.5Km to go) will see a bonus sprint and might detonate the race. The climb is placed with 1 kilometers to go, and could be the decisive factor in the fight for the stage win later on.
Read also
List of winners Tour de Luxembourg
| Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 2025 | Brandon McNulty | Mattias Skjelmose | Richard Carapaz |
| 2024 | Antonio Tiberi | Mathieu van der Poel | David Gaudu |
| 2023 | Marc Hirschi | Brandon McNulty | Ben Healy |
| 2022 | Mattias Skjelmose | Kévin Vauquelin | Valentin Madouas |
| 2021 | João Almeida | Marc Hirschi | Mattia Cattaneo |
| 2020 | Diego Ulissi | Markus Hoelgaard | Aimé De Gendt |
| 2019 | Jesús Herrada | Maurits Lammertink | Andrea Pasqualon |
| 2018 | Andrea Pasqualon | Jan Tratnik | Pit Leyder |
| 2017 | Greg Van Avermaet | Xandro Meurisse | Anthony Pérez |
| 2016 | Maurits Lammertink | Philippe Gilbert | Alex Kirsch |
| 2015 | Linus Gerdemann | Marc de Maar | Huub Duijn |
| 2014 | Matti Breschel | Jempy Drucker | Michael Mørkøv |
| 2013 | Paul Martens | Jonathan Hivert | Jan Bakelants |
| 2012 | Jakob Fuglsang | Wout Poels | Fränk Schleck |
| 2011 | Linus Gerdemann | Alexandre Geniez | Tony Gallopin |
| 2010 | Matteo Carrara | Fränk Schleck | Lance Armstrong |
| 2009 | Fränk Schleck | Andreas Klöden | Marco Marcato |
| 2008 | Joost Posthuma | Michael Albasini | Fränk Schleck |
| 2007 | Grégory Rast | Laurent Brochard | Tiziano Dall'Antonia |
| 2006 | Christian Vande Velde | Tomasz Brożyna | Allan Johansen |
| 2005 | László Bodrogi | Fabian Cancellara | Jukka Vastaranta |
| 2004 | Maxime Monfort | Torsten Hiekmann | Jörg Jaksche |
| 2003 | Thomas Voeckler | Piotr Wadecki | David Cañada |
| 2002 | Marcus Ljungqvist | Bart Voskamp | Ondřej Sosenka |
| 2001 | Jørgen Bo Petersen | Raivis Belohvoščiks | Fred Rodriguez |
| 2000 | Alberto Elli | Benoît Joachim | Nicola Loda |
| 1999 | Marc Wauters | Steffen Kjærgaard | Tobias Steinhauser |
| 1998 | Lance Armstrong | Erik Dekker | Dirk Müller |
| 1997 | Frank Vandenbroucke | Alberto Elli | Erik Breukink |
| 1996 | Alberto Elli | Laurent Desbiens | Erik Breukink |
| 1995 | Rolf Järmann | Emmanuel Magnien | Gianluca Bortolami |
| 1994 | Frans Maassen | George Hincapie | Melchor Mauri |
| 1993 | Maximilian Sciandri | Maarten den Bakker | Johan Museeuw |
| 1992 | Jean-Philippe Dojwa | John van den Akker | Ron Kiefel |
| 1991 | Gert-Jan Theunisse | Frans Maassen | Adrie van der Poel |
| 1990 | Christophe Lavainne | Erich Mächler | Maximilian Sciandri |
| 1989 | Michel Cornelisse | Dariusz Kajzer | Eddy Schurer |
| 1988 | Richard Trinkler | Jaanus Kuum | Jacques Decrion |
| 1987 | Søren Lilholt | Laurent Fignon | Benjamin van Itterbeeck |
| 1986 | Steven Rooks | Søren Lilholt | Harald Maier |
| 1985 | Jelle Nijdam | William Tackaert | Louis Luyten |
| 1984 | Christophe Lavainne | William Tackaert | Rudy Dhaenens |
| 1983 | Lucien Didier | Charly Mottet | Kim Andersen |
| 1982 | Bernard Hinault | Hennie Kuiper | Igor Bokov |
| 1981 | Yuri Barinov | Igor Bokov | Riho Suun |
| 1980 | Bert Oosterbosch | Leo van Vliet | Daniel Gisiger |
| 1979 | Lucien Didier | Bernard Hinault | Bert Oosterbosch |
| 1978 | Ludo Peeters | Wilfried Wesemael | Gerben Karstens |
| 1977 | Bert Pronk | Gerrie Knetemann | Willy Lienhard |
| 1976 | Frans Verbeeck | Jos Jacobs | Gerrie Knetemann |
| 1975 | Frans Verbeeck | Willy Teirlinck | Herman van Springel |
| 1974 | Freddy Maertens | Frans Verbeeck | Herman van Springel |
| 1973 | Sylvain Vasseur | Willy Planckaert | Jean-Pierre Guitard |
| 1972 | Roger Rosiers | Paul Aerts | Barry Hoban |
| 1971 | André Dierickx | Ferdinand Bracke | Leif Mortensen |
| 1970 | Edy Schutz | Georges Pintens | René Pijnen |
| 1969 | Davide Boifava | Rini Wagtmans | Arie den Hartog |
| 1968 | Edy Schutz | Cees Haast | Franco Bodrero |
| 1967 | Frans Brands | Bernard van de Kerckhove | Raymond Delisle |
| 1966 | Edy Schutz | Armand Desmet | Willy Planckaert |
| 1965 | Vin Denson | Jean-Claude Lebaube | Arie den Hartog |
| 1964 | Arie den Hartog | Bas Maliepaard | Hans Junkermann |
| 1963 | Yvo Molenaers | Jo de Roo | Martin van der Borgh |
| 1962 | Joseph Planckaert | Willy Schroeders | Frans De Mulder |
| 1961 | Charly Gaul | Marcel Ernzer | Georges Groussard |
| 1960 | Marcel Ernzer | Aldo Bolzan | Giuseppe Pintarelli |
| 1959 | Charly Gaul | Aldo Bolzan | Pino Cerami |
| 1958 | Jean-Pierre Schmitz | Jean-Claude Annaert | Piet de Jongh |
| 1957 | Gérard Saint | Raymond Elena | Elio Gerussi |
| 1956 | Charly Gaul | René Remangeon | Jean Forestier |
| 1955 | Louison Bobet | Marcel Ernzer | Charly Gaul |
| 1954 | Jean-Pierre Schmitz | Charly Gaul | Marcel Ernzer |
| 1953 | Robert van der Stockt | Alex Close | Charly Gaul |
| 1952 | Jean Kirchen | Jean Goldschmit | Robert van der Stockt |
| 1951 | Marcel Ernzer | Bim Diederich | Georges Jobé |
| 1950 | Isidoor De Ryck | Bim Diederich | Jean Kirchen |
| 1949 | Bim Diederich | Nello Sforacchi | Marcel Ernzer |
| 1948 | Jean Goldschmit | Guy Lapébie | Mathias Clemens |
| 1947 | Mathias Clemens | Bim Diederich | Jean Kirchen |
| 1946 | Briek Schotte | Bim Diederich | Norbert Callens |
| 1945 | Jean Goldschmit | Bim Diederich | Marcel Poire |
| 1943 | François Neuens | Mathias Clemens | Pierre Clemens |
| 1942 | François Neuens | Christophe Didier | Mathias Clemens |
| 1941 | Christophe Didier | Erich Bautz | Richard Menapace |
| 1939 | Mathias Clemens | Lucien Vlaemynck | Fernand Mithouard |
| 1938 | Lucien Vlaemynck | Adolphe Braeckeveldt | Hubert Deltour |
| 1937 | Mathias Clemens | Pierre Clemens | Camiel Michielsens |
| 1936 | Mathias Clemens | Pierre Clemens | Julius Hamelryckx |
| 1935 | Mathias Clemens | Julius Hamelryckx | Jean Oeyen |
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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