Renewi Tour 2026: Girmay, Philipsen and Strong battle for the crown of the North

A week of total cycling between Belgium and the NetherlandsFrom 19 August 2026, the Renewi Tour (WorldTour category) will bring top-level cycling to the roads of Belgium and the Netherlands. A stage race that has always rewarded complete riders, capable of handling the cobbles and crosswinds of the North and pushing hard in the final time trial. The route and technical details were not provided in our data, but the startlist speaks for itself: there will be a show.The expected protagonists at the startThe list of entrants is full of top names. Among the pure sprinters, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin - Premier Tech) stands out, fresh from a prestigious victory. Eyes are also on Biniam Girmay and Corbin Strong, two versatile riders who can aim for the overall classification. Also watch out for Jonathan Milan (Lidl - Trek), Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarché), ready to play their cards in the sprinters' stages. Among the GC contenders, attention to Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) and Tiesj Benoot (Decathlon CMA CGM Team).This year's results of the big namesThe data collected give us an interesting picture of the main favourites. Jasper Philipsen won the Copenhagen Sprint and finished 8th in both the Scheldeprijs and the Dwars door Vlaanderen: a solid condition, with a high-level victory that demonstrates his explosiveness. Biniam Girmay finished 3rd in the Brussels Cycling Classic and 4th in the Dwars door Vlaanderen, two results that establish him as one of the most in-form riders in the peloton. Corbin Strong took an excellent 5th place in the Milano-Sanremo and a notable placing in the Région Pays de la Loire Tour, a stage race in which he showed he can move well in stage races too. Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto Intermarché) finished 3rd in the Muur Classic Geraardsbergen and 5th in the Circuit Franco-Belge, with an 11th place in the Milano-Sanremo that certifies his talent. Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates - XRG) took an excellent 3rd place in the E3 Saxo Classic, one of the hardest semi-classics on the calendar.The favourites for the final victoryIn light of the results, the number one favourite is Biniam Girmay: his ability to manage hard races and be present in the key stages makes him the ideal candidate for the overall classification. Jasper Philipsen is the most in-form sprinter and could win several stages, but he will have to limit the damage in the time trial. Corbin Strong has shown he can handle the long distances and has a great sprint from a reduced group: he is the main threat to Girmay. Also watch out for Jenno Berckmoes, who on home roads can take great satisfaction.Philipsen's victory in the Copenhagen Sprint is an important sign: the Dane has shown he is the most in-form sprinter at the moment, but at the Renewi Tour he will have to deal with fierce competition and the pitfalls of the course.