Stage 1 of the 2026 Renewi Tour covers 191.3 km in a circuit starting and finishing in Diest, Belgium, classified as a hilly profile with a flat finish. The undulating terrain will test the punchy classics specialists before setting up a potentially reduced bunch sprint for the stage win. As a 2.UWT event, it attracts a high-quality startlist with several top classics riders confirmed.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Laurence Pithie is the standout pick, combining elite recent form — 4 wins, 8 podiums, and 11 top-10s across 16 hilly races — with a competitive Hills rating of 73. No other rider in the field comes close to matching that combination of volume and quality of results in similar conditions.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Laurence Pithie leads all form metrics with an average position of 16.7 across 16 hilly-profile races, including 4 wins and 8 podiums in the last 90 days. His Hills rating of 73 and consistent performances make him the clear favorite for this undulating Diest circuit.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Thibaud Gruel leads the field in average finishing position (15.1) and is in red-hot form, while Tiesj Benoot's Hills rating of 78 is the highest in the startlist, giving him a significant stat advantage. Both riders represent genuine threats to take the stage but carry different risk profiles.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Thibaud Gruel boasts the best recent average position of 15.1 across 9 similar-profile races, including 1 win and 5 top-10 finishes, showing outstanding current form. His Hills rating of 74 is strong and his trajectory into this race is highly encouraging.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Tiesj Benoot tops the startlist with a Hills rating of 78 and brings classic-racing pedigree perfectly suited to this hilly Belgian circuit. Although his recent average position of 37.0 is modest, his top stat and confirmed race participation signal serious intent.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Paul Lapeira, Quinten Hermans, and Igor Arrieta all carry Hills ratings of 75–76 and have recent evidence of performing in similar races. Arrieta's pair of podiums and Lapeira's top-5 result stand out, while Hermans is a seasoned Belgian classics performer who relishes this type of terrain.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Igor Arrieta has a Hills rating of 75 and is among the more active form riders, averaging 40.2 over 14 hilly-profile races with 2 podiums and a best finish of 2nd. His consistent presence in results makes him a credible dark horse.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Paul Lapeira holds a Hills rating of 76 and has recorded 3 top-10 finishes in 8 similar-profile races recently, with a best result of 5th. He is a confirmed starter and represents a strong team option at Decathlon CMA CGM.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Quinten Hermans carries a Hills rating of 76 and has solid experience in hilly Belgian races across 12 similar-profile outings. He is a confirmed participant and his punchy style fits the Diest circuit well.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Corbin Strong, Alberto Bettiol, Jenno Berckmoes, and Søren Kragh Andersen round out the selection as riders with the profile and recent results to sneak into the top 10 or better. Each has shown flashes of form in hilly-profile races and carries confirmed race entries, making them worth monitoring in CycloDraft selections.
XDS Astana
XDS Astana
Alberto Bettiol brings a Hills rating of 76 and has recorded 1 win and 3 top-10s in 14 similar-profile races this season. His classics background suits the Diest parcours and he is a confirmed starter.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Corbin Strong has a Hills rating of 75 and recent form that includes 1 win, 1 podium, and 3 top-10 finishes across 9 similar races. He is a confirmed starter targeting this race ahead of the World Championships.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Jenno Berckmoes has a Hills rating of 75 and showed promising recent form with 2 podiums and 3 top-10 finishes across 10 hilly-profile races. As a confirmed starter, he could be a surprise package on home roads.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Søren Kragh Andersen holds a Hills rating of 74 and has 2 top-10 finishes and a best of 5th across 7 similar-profile races recently. A confirmed starter with the versatility to feature in a reduced bunch finish.
Verdict
Laurence Pithie is the top favorite given his outstanding recent hilly-race form, with Thibaud Gruel and Tiesj Benoot the most dangerous challengers on paper.