The Renewi Tour is a stage race in Belgium that typically feels defined by a few dominant names, but the 2026 edition is wide open. Mathieu van der Poel is not participating in the 2026 race, which removes the usual focal point of the competition. This absence creates a fascinating tactical vacuum for the rest of the peloton.
Stage 3 should be the decisive moment, as it includes the Muur van Geraardsbergen and other climbs like the Bosberg. These profiles favor a specific type of rider, though the balance between pure puncheurs and versatile sprinters remains thin. With the field open, we might see more aggressive racing from the GC contenders rather than the conservative pacing often seen when a heavy favorite is present.
Teams like UAE and Red Bull possess significant depth, which could lead to multi-leader dynamics or a more disciplined domestique approach to protect a lead. Who is your pick for the overall title given the current depth of the starting list?
With Van der Poel out of the picture, the tactical vacuum is real. I'm looking at UAE's depth here. If they can control the pace on the Bosberg and the Muur, they have the kind of versatility to shut down any long range attacks. While De Lie is the defending champ, his recent form looks shaky, and that is usually the death knell for a GC bid in a race this technical. My money is on Laurence Pithie to capitalize on the chaos. He has the profile to survive the climbs and the punch to win the uphill sprint, provided his team doesn't blow up trying to protect a lead too early.
