The Benelux Tour changes its name (again)
Renewi Tour is the new name of the race previously known as Eneco Tour of Benelux, Eneco Tour, BinckBank Tour, and Benelux Tour. The event, which was not held last year due to scheduling issues, is now in its 19th edition with the new sponsorship of waste management company Renewi, and it is the only stage race in Belgium and the Netherlands that is part of the UCI WorldTour.
Route
This time, the race will consist of five stages, with four taking place in Belgium and only one in the Netherlands, specifically the 13-kilometer time trial on the second day. Stages 1 and 4 are ideal for sprinters, while the third stage features a Flemish classic profile, with several cobbled climbs and two laps of a final circuit in Geraardsbergen that includes the legendary duo Muur (1.2 km at 7.3%) - Bosberg (0.7 km at 6.6%). The fifth and final stage also includes several short climbs, but they are not as steep, and we’ll see if the punchers can drop the sprinters.
Favorites
The race suits sprinters/classics riders such as Jasper Philipsen (1200), Arnaud de Lie (400), or Arnaud Démare (1000), who can perform well in the ITT, stay with the strongest in the third stage, and also gain bonus seconds in the finales and the intermediate sprints. Other sprinters for the flat stages include Olav Kooij (1000), Dylan Groenewegen (800), Jordi Meeus (600), and Sam Welsford (400).
For the time trial, the main specialists are Joshua Tarling (200), Kasper Asgreen (600), Tobias Foss (400), Yves Lampaert (400), Alberto Bettiol (400), Tim Wellens (400), Josh Van Emden (200), Rune Herregodts (400), and Victor Campenaerts (400). Most of them will also aim to shine in the Geraardsbergen stage and in the general classification, which is also expected to feature contenders such as Matej Mohorič (800) and Matteo Trentin (600).
Photo: © Renewi Tour