The Renewi Tour, the only UCI WorldTour stage race in Belgium and the Netherlands, will welcome Menen as its host city for the first time next year. The West Flemish city will be the start location of the Queen stage on Sunday 1 September 2024, which traditionally finishes on the Vesten in Geraardsbergen.
The start signal of the Queen stage, also the final stage of the Renewi Tour 2024, will sound on the Grote Markt of Menen. The riders will first ride a local lap in the centre of Menen and through the surrounding towns of Rekkem and Lauwe, before setting off towards Hainaut. Tough climbs like the Hameau des Papins and Bourliquet in the Pays des Collines may cause a first cull. Next up is Geraardsbergen. In the East Flemish city of cycling, the traditional local lap taking in Denderoordstraat, Onkerzele Berg, Bosberg, Muur van Geraardsbergen and Vesten awaits the peloton.
“The Renewi Tour is delighted with the partnership with the City of Menen,” said Christophe Impens of organiser Golazo.” The passages through the centre of Menen, Lauwe and Rekkem will be a real feast. Leaving Menen, we will cross the beautiful but tough Pays des Collines, where we will seek out the many steep hills. Before diving into a dazzling finale in and around Geraardsbergen. The finish on the Vesten is now a classic on the UCI WorldTour calendar.”
Menen mayor Eddy Lust: “In recent years, we brought a top sporting event to our city every summer. This year, it was the European Triathlon Championships. The organisation behind this event decided to end on a sporting high after four very successful editions, so we went looking for a worthy alternative. We found it in the start of the Queen stage of the Renewi Tour (formerly Eneco/BinckBank Tour), instantly making us host city for the final Menen-Geraardsbergen stage of this UCI WorldTour road race. The only WordTour stage race for men in Belgium and the Netherlands, by the way.”
Councillor for Sport Kasper Vandecasteele adds: “On Sunday 1 September, it will be busy in Menin at the start zone on and around the Grote Markt, knowing that all WorldTour teams’ best riders will be there at the start. This is unique for our city. But the surrounding boroughs can also benefit from this event: after the start shortly before noon, the peloton will ride a local lap through the village centres of Lauwe and Rekkem, with an added bonus sprint along the way. The intention is to continue to bring people together in our city in 2024 through a top sports event.”
The Renewi Tour 2024 starts on Wednesday 28 August and finishes on Sunday 1 September. The full stage schedule with all start and finish locations will be announced later.
