The Renewi Tour is a 2.UWT-ranked stage race with a hilly profile and a hill finish, making it well-suited to puncheurs and classics-style riders who can survive repeated undulating terrain and contest explosive finishes. Taking place on August 19, 2026, the race draws a competitive field including several Legendary and Epic-rated riders. The general classification will reward consistent performers across multiple hilly stages rather than pure climbers or sprinters.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Laurence Pithie is in a class of his own in this field based on recent hilly-profile results. His 16.7 average position from 16 races, with 4 wins and 8 podiums, dwarfs all other contenders. Backed by a Hills stat of 73 and Red Bull - BORA team support, he is the clear pick to take the overall title.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Laurence Pithie leads all riders in recent hilly-profile form with an average position of 16.7 across 16 races, including 4 wins and 8 podiums — an outstanding return rate. His Hills stat of 73 and consistent top-level performance make him the clear favorite for the GC at the Renewi Tour.
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Strong Contenders
Thibaud Gruel leads the recent form table outright with a 15.1 average from 9 hilly races including a win, making him the most in-form rider in the field. Tiesj Benoot counters with the highest raw Hills stat (78) in the startlist and the pedigree to perform at WorldTour level on punchy terrain, giving him the ceiling to challenge on any given stage.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Thibaud Gruel tops the recent form table with a 15.1 average position in hilly races over the last 90 days, including a win and 5 top-10s from 9 starts. His Hills stat of 74 is competitive and his form is arguably the hottest in this field right now.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Tiesj Benoot holds the highest Hills stat in the startlist at 78 and is confirmed starting the Renewi Tour. Despite a modest average position of 37.0 in recent hilly races, his raw ability on undulating terrain and Epic rarity mark him as a genuine podium threat.
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Dark Horses
Paul Lapeira (Hills 76, avg 24.6, three top-10s) and Igor Arrieta (Hills 75, two podiums including a 2nd) are both confirmed starters with the stats and results to threaten the top five. Jenno Berckmoes adds a third dark-horse option through consistent podium finishes (2 from 10 starts) at a Hills rating of 75, and Lotto Intermarché's team dynamic could allow him to operate freely.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Igor Arrieta has a Hills stat of 75 and has been active in hilly races, averaging 40.2 but recording 2 podiums and a best of 2nd from 14 starts. He is confirmed for the Renewi Tour and has shown the ability to peak on the right day.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Jenno Berckmoes carries a Hills stat of 75 and has recorded 2 podiums and 3 top-10s from 10 hilly-profile races in recent form with an average position of 48.8. He is confirmed starting and represents strong value as a Lotto Intermarché puncheur.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Paul Lapeira posts the fourth-best recent hilly-profile average (24.6) from 8 races, with 3 top-10 finishes and a best of 5th. His Hills stat of 76 is among the highest in the field and he is confirmed to start the Renewi Tour.
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Ones to Watch
Quinten Hermans, Magnus Sheffield, Alberto Bettiol, and Corbin Strong all carry Hills stats of 75-76 and confirmed starts, but their recent averages or win tallies place them just below the top tier. Each has demonstrated the ability to produce a top result on the right day — particularly Bettiol (1 win, 14 races) and Strong (1 win, best of 1st) — making them worth monitoring as stage-hunting outsiders.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Alberto Bettiol holds a Hills stat of 76 and has registered a win and a podium from 14 hilly-profile races in recent form. He is confirmed starting the Renewi Tour and has the experience and class to challenge for a stage result.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Corbin Strong recorded a win and a podium from 9 hilly-profile races with a best result of 1st, showing he can peak on the right day. His Hills stat of 75 and confirmed start at the Renewi Tour ahead of the World Championships make him a motivated wildcard.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Magnus Sheffield boasts a Hills stat of 75 paired with an impressive TT score of 77, making him well-rounded for a multi-stage hilly race. His best of 5th in similar-profile races shows he can finish near the top despite a modest 44.7 average.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Quinten Hermans has a Hills stat of 76 and is confirmed for the Renewi Tour, though his recent hilly-race average of 42.2 from 12 races without a podium tempers expectations. He remains a credible attacker on hilly terrain and should not be overlooked.
Verdict
Laurence Pithie is the standout favorite on the strength of his exceptional recent hilly-race form — 4 wins, 8 podiums from 16 starts — while Thibaud Gruel and Tiesj Benoot represent the most dangerous challengers to his GC ambitions.