Renewi Tour 2024 - the route: Van der Poel & Co. in action on classic terrain

Thomas Goldmann

· 27.08.2024

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Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmaps

The Renewi Tour 2024 is coming up: the tour was once known as the Eneco Tour. When the main sponsor changed, the name changed to BinckBank Tour. This season, the race is being called the Renewi Tour for the second time. But one thing remains constant: it is the Benelux Tour. The 20th edition takes place from 28 August to 1 September.

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For many years, the race consisted of seven or even eight stages. This year - as in 2020 and 2023 - the Renewi Tour only has five stages. The race is part of the UCI World Tour, the premier league of international cycling, but like the Deutschland Tour with its packed calendar in August and the associated overlap with the Vuelta a Espana to fight.

So far, two Germans have added their names to the list of winners: Stefan Schumacher in 2006 and Tony Martin in 2010. The record winner with three victories is Tim Wellens. The Belgian won in 2014, 2015 and 2023.

The favourites of the Renewi Tour

The podium of the Renewi Tour 2023 (from left to right): Florian Vermeersch (second place), Tim Wellens (winner) and Yves Lampaert (third place)

Photo: Getty Images/Bas CzerwinskiThe podium of the Renewi Tour 2023 (from left to right): Florian Vermeersch (second place), Tim Wellens (winner) and Yves Lampaert (third place)

Wellens is once again to be mentioned this year when it comes to potential overall winners. The UAE Team Emirates pro will face competition above all from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck). The Dutch superstar is contesting his first race after the 2024 Olympics in Paris and will use the Renewi Tour to build up his form with a view to the World Cycling Championships at the end of September.

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Photo: Getty Images/Dario BelingheriMathieu van der Poel competes in the Renewi Tour

Van der Poel's team-mate Jasper Philipsen could also have a say in the battle for overall victory, as could Magnus Sheffield (Ineos Grenadies), Jasper Stuyven, Jonathan Milan (both Lidl-Trek), Ilan van Wilder (Soudal - Quick Step), Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious), Christophe Laporte (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny).

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This is the route of the Renewi Tour 2024 - all stages at a glance

The riders have to cover 745.5 kilometres and 5148 metres in altitude over the five stages. With the exception of the start of stage 4, where the peloton makes a detour into the Netherlands, the race takes place on Belgian soil. The stages at a glance.

Stage 1 | Wednesday, 28 August | Riemst - Bilzen | 163.6 kilometres

Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmapsThe elevation profile of the 1st stage of the Renewi Tour 2024

Stage 1 takes the peloton on a loop between Riemst and Bilzen through the Belgian part of Limburg and the province of Liège. The last kilometre of the stage is another steep climb. A sprint is likely here, albeit from a thinned-out peloton.

>> To the race report of stage 1

Stage 2 | Thursday, 29 August | Tessenderlo - Tessenderlo | 15.4 kilometres (individual time trial)

Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmapsThe elevation profile of the 2nd stage of the Renewi Tour 2024

The second day will have a significant influence on the overall standings. The individual time trial around Tessenderlo has some long straights, which should play into the hands of strong rouleurs to gain a few seconds here.

>> To the race report of stage 2

Stage 3 | Friday, 30 August | Blankenberge - Ardooie | 185.5 kilometres

Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmapsThe elevation profile of the 3rd stage of the Renewi Tour 2024

On the third day, we set off directly from the North Sea in Blankenberge. The route heads south past Bruges to the finish in Ardooie. There, the riders have to complete a circuit five times. The profile clearly favours a sprint.

Stage 4 | Saturday, 31 August | Oostburg - Aalter | 178.5 kilometres

Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmapsThe elevation profile of the 4th stage of the Renewi Tour 2024

The first 40 kilometres or so of stage 4 lead over Dutch terrain, then it's back to Belgium for the Renewi Tour 2024. Once again, there is a circuit around the finish town of Aalter, which has to be ridden twice - a bunch sprint is the most likely outcome of the stage.

Stage 5 | Sunday, 1 September | Menen - Geraardsbergen | 202.5 kilometres

Photo: Golazo Sports/procyclingmapsThe elevation profile of the 5th stage of the Renewi Tour 2024

The final stage is also the most difficult section of the Renewi Tour 2024, where the classics cracks come into their own. With numerous climbs such as the Geraardsbergen wall, the stage is a kind of mini Tour of Flanders. There are plenty of opportunities to attack on the final lap around Geraardsbergen, which has to be tackled three times.

>> To the race report of stage 5

Renewi Tour 2024: TV broadcast and live stream

The Renewi Tour 2024 cannot be seen on German television. However, cycling fans can watch the race digitally on Discovery Plus (subject to a charge) track. All stages run from 13:45 to 16:00 in the live stream.