From Wednesday 19 August to Sunday 23 August 2026, the Belgian cycling scene will once again revolve around the Renewi Tour. With its 21st edition, the race remains firmly anchored at the highest level of international cycling and will be in 2026 the only multi-day UCI WorldTour stage race in the Benelux, with the entire edition taking place on Belgian soil.

The previous edition will be remembered for an impressive list of stage winners, including Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij, Mathieu van der Poel, Tim Merlier once again, and Arnaud De Lie. The overall classification remained undecided until the very final meters in Leuven. Thanks to an exciting battle of seconds and a stage victory in the final stage, De Lie secured overall victory ahead of Van der Poel and record holder and Belgian champion Tim Wellens. In 2026, the peloton will therefore be looking for a new wearer of the blue‑green Renewi leader’s jersey.

The Renewi Tour 2026 kicks off with a true festive opening in Diest, which will host the Grand Départ this year. On Tuesday evening, 18 August, all participating teams and riders will be officially presented to the public, followed by the opening stage on Wednesday 19 August, starting and finishing in Diest. Moreover, the city commits to the Renewi Tour on a longer‑term basis and will also host finish locations again in 2028 and 2030.

After the opening day, the peloton heads from Blankenberge to Ardooie on Thursday, a stage that was also on the programme last year and was then won by Olav Kooij.

On Friday, the stage from Celles to Geraardsbergen traditionally represents a key stage for the general classification. In the 2025 edition, Mathieu van der Poel proved to be the strongest there after a gruelling battle, just ahead of Arnaud De Lie. The finish on the Vesten of Geraardsbergen, including passages over the Mur de Geraardsbergen and the Bosberg, once again promises to be decisive, while Celles makes its debut as a start location.

The weekend continues to build on proven success formulas from previous editions. On Saturday, a stage from Riemst to Bilzen‑Hoeselt is on the programme, a stage that was won last year by Tim Merlier, claiming his second sprint victory of the race.

On Sunday, the Renewi Tour concludes in Leuven, where the final stage once again unfolds fully in and around the city. Last year, Arnaud De Lie successfully defended his leader’s jersey there by outsprinting Mathieu van der Poel and winning the final stage.