The Renewi Tour (19-24 August) is gearing up for a new and exciting edition. It will be a special anniversary edition, as Belgium and the Netherlands will be hosting the Low Countries’ top cycling race, the only UCI WorldTour stage race in the Benelux, for the 20th time. Organiser Golazo has released the first names of riders who could play a leading role in the Renewi Tour. The race will feature Belgian Champion Tim Wellens and top sprinter Tim Merlier, two big names from the Tour de France.
Last month, the Tour de France had a Belgian flavour, with no fewer than six stage wins going to Belgian riders. A number of national Tour heroes will be at the start of the Renewi Tour.
Belgian Champion Tim Wellens is returning to his beloved terrain. Last year’s winner is in top form: stage winner in the Tour and a key player in the overall victory of teammate Tadej Pogacar. Wellens could also make history by becoming the first rider ever to win the overall victory three times in a row – and a fifth time in total.
Fastest Man on Two Wheels
European Champion Tim Merlier is also gearing up for the Renewi Tour. The fastest man on two wheels was particularly successful in the Tour de France with two stage wins. Will he be celebrating again?
When it comes to sprinting in the Renewi Tour, Merlier will have to confront Arnaud De Lie, who has also had a strong Tour de France. De Lie finished in the top five four times and crossed the line on the Champs-Élysées in seventh place. Last year, De Lie won the final stage of the Renewi Tour in Geraardsbergen wearing the Belgian Champion’s jersey.
Another Belgian rider who made his mark in the Tour de France and will be at the start of the first stage of the Renewi Tour in Terneuzen on Wednesday 20 August is Jonas Rickaert. The rider from West Flanders staged an historic 168 km breakaway with Mathieu van der Poel in the ninth stage of the Tour. The Alpecin-Deceuninck riders were not granted a stage victory, but Rickaert did win the Combativity Award.
Old Water Bottles get a new Lease on Life
Just like last year, the Renewi Tour is calling on all cycling fans to hand in their used water bottles via the water bottle collection campaign. In collaboration with title partner Renewi, special wheelie bins will be available in seven stage towns.
Every water bottle you hand in will be given a new lease of life through an innovative recycling process: from shredding to pure plastic granules that are used in new products, including packaging, car parts and new water bottles! That way, every water bottle contributes to a more beautiful and sustainable world.
Fans who share a fun photo when they hand in their bottle will be in with a chance of winning exclusive prizes such as a pair of VIP tickets or a signed cycling jersey. For more information and terms and conditions, go to: renewitour.com/en/collection-campaign-for-used-bidons.
Sander Leenders, Renewi’s Commercial Director: “By collecting and recycling old water bottles, we are giving those materials a new lease of life. In this way, cycling fans and we are making a tangible difference together. This fits in perfectly with our ambition to put our expertise in sustainability into practice through the Renewi Tour and thus reduce the ecological footprint of this sporting event.”
