A whole group of top riders will gather in Belgium and the Netherlands this week for the Renewi Tour. The only stage race in the Low Countries at the highest level offers three sprinters’ chances and a queen stage in the Flemish Ardennes. World champion Mathieu van der Poel is the eye-catcher. Philipsen, Merlier, De Lie, Kooij and Girmay will also be there.
This is what it was like last year:
Tim Wellens won the five-day stage race through the Low Countries for the third time last season. He did so without winning a stage.
Jasper Philipsen (sprint) and Joshua Tarling (time trial) were the first to cheer. For the then 19-year-old Briton it was his first international professional victory.
On day 3, Mike Teunissen was the best in the stage on and around the Muur van Geraardsbergen. Tim Wellens finished in the slipstream of the Dutchman and became leader.
He never gave up that place. Sam Welsford sprinted to the stage win in Peer and Matej Mohoric triumphed after a ride over the Limburg hills. That final stage was briefly disrupted by a strike by the riders.
Wellens’ final victory was never in danger. Florian Vermeersch and Yves Lampaert accompanied him on a Belgian podium.
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The route:
On paper there are 3 sprinter chances in 5 days. The first stage is a doubtful case. There are several hills between Riemst and Bilzen.
Day 2 will be important immediately with a view to the classification. In the time trial of more than 15 kilometers, real differences will be made for the first time.
Without surprises, chances for the fast men follow in Ardooie and Aalter. Only in stage 4 the peloton rides through the Netherlands. The final decision will be made on Sunday.
Geraardsbergen will once again be the theatre for the final stage in 2023, after an exception. The Onkerzeleberg, the Denderoordberg, the Muur van Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg must provide separation.
After several passages over the Flemish hills, the riders finish on the Ramparts of the Wall.
In each stage, a golden kilometer awaits. Bonus seconds (3/2/1) are at stake in three sprints.
Renewi Tour
Last year Mike Teunissen was allowed to cheer on the Ramparts of the Wall.
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Many spotlights will be on Mathieu van der Poel as the world champion enters the final part of his road season.
In 2020 he already won the Renewi Tour, then still BinckBank Tour. The final stage in Geraardsbergen suits him like a glove.
He may already find competition in his own team with Jasper Philipsen. He will already be able to gain bonus seconds in the flatter stages and can survive in the Flemish Ardennes.
It is especially interesting for fans of Flemish work. Biniam Girmay, Jasper Stuyven, Arnaud De Lie, Matej Mohoric and Magnus Sheffield fit into that list.
Christophe Laporte is also among them, but the European champion did not make a great impression in the Bretagne Classic last weekend.
What can the Philipsen-Van der Poel tandem do in the Renewi Tour?
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