Stage 5 of the Renewi Tour covers 183.7 km from Leuven back to Leuven on a hilly profile with a flat finish — a classic punchy Belgian circuit that rewards riders combining hills punch with sprint speed. The 2.UWT classification ensures a high-quality startlist fighting for the overall and stage honours. Expect aggressive racing on the climbs to thin the lead group before a reduced bunch or small group sprint decides the winner.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Laurence Pithie is in a class of his own on current form, averaging 15.1 in hilly-profile races with 3 wins and 8 podiums from 15 outings. No rider in the startlist comes close to matching that recent output, and his Hills rating of 73 provides the statistical backing to go with the results.
Red Bull - BORA
Red Bull - BORA
Laurence Pithie leads all riders in recent hilly-profile form with an average position of 15.1 across 15 races, including 3 wins and 8 podiums. His Hills rating of 73 and elite current form make him the clear favorite for this Leuven finale.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Thibaud Gruel and Paul Lapeira are the two riders most capable of upsetting Pithie. Gruel's avg of 17.8 with a recent win shows he is in fine form, while Lapeira's Hills rating of 76 and team support at Decathlon CMA CGM make him a constant danger on Belgian terrain.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Paul Lapeira holds a Hills rating of 76 — one of the highest in the field — and has logged a best finish of 5th in similar-profile races across 10 outings. The Decathlon CMA CGM team is well-represented and will support his ambitions in Leuven.
Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ
Thibaud Gruel ranks second in recent similar-profile form (avg 17.8, 1 win) and has shown consistent ability to challenge on hilly circuits. His Hills rating of 74 supports his credentials as a genuine contender.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Tiesj Benoot leads the entire startlist with a Hills rating of 78 and could easily win on a day when his form clicks into place. Arnaud De Lie is explicitly targeting this race and his Sprint/Hills combination is perfect for the Leuven finale. Igor Arrieta offers consistent value with two podiums in 13 similar-profile races.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Arnaud De Lie is listed as targeting the Renewi Tour specifically and has a Hills rating of 75 paired with a massive Sprint stat of 79 — ideal for a hilly stage with a flat finish in Leuven. His 1 win and 2 podiums in recent similar-profile races show he can convert opportunities.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Igor Arrieta has delivered 2 podiums and a best result of 2nd in similar-profile races over 13 outings, with a Hills rating of 75 and solid Climbing support of 74. He is a consistent threat who often goes under the radar.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Tiesj Benoot carries the highest Hills rating in the entire startlist at 78, with strong Cobbles support (76) to match the parcours demands. Recent form has been inconsistent (avg 42.5) but his ceiling on a hilly Leuven circuit is very high.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Quinten Hermans and Corbin Strong both have Hills ratings of 76 and 75 respectively and have shown competitive results in this race type. Rui Oliveira and Jenno Berckmoes round out the outsiders — capable of a top result on the right day but not consistent enough to rank higher.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Corbin Strong has a Hills rating of 75 and recorded a win and a podium in recent similar-profile races, indicating genuine finishing ability. His Sprint stat of 73 positions him well for a flat Leuven finale if he can survive the selective hills.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Jenno Berckmoes brings a Hills rating of 75 and has recorded 2 podiums in recent hilly-profile races across 11 outings. As a home Belgian rider finishing in Leuven, the course motivation factor is real.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Quinten Hermans has a Hills rating of 76 and has raced 13 similar-profile events recently, showing he is active and engaged with this type of racing. A best finish of 11th suggests he can challenge but rarely converts to the podium.
UAE Emirates
UAE Emirates
Rui Oliveira averages 35.1 in similar-profile races but has a win and two podiums among his 14 outings, showing he can peak sharply. His Hills rating of 73 and Sprint of 75 suit a punchy finish well.
Verdict
Laurence Pithie is the standout favorite based on dominant recent form in similar-profile races, including 3 wins and 8 podiums. Thibaud Gruel and Paul Lapeira are his most dangerous rivals, while Arnaud De Lie and Tiesj Benoot loom as serious wildcard threats.