Stage 2 of the 2026 Renewi Tour covers 173.9 km from Blankenberge to Ardooie on a flat profile, setting the scene for a mass sprint finish. Racing on home Belgian roads at WorldTour level, this stage is tailor-made for the pure sprinters in an elite startlist. Expect fast racing and organised lead-out trains from the top sprint squads.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Jasper Philipsen stands alone at the top tier. His Sprint stat of 82 is backed by the best recent form data in the field — 8 races, 1 win, 5 podiums, and an average position of 3.2 in similar-profile races. He is the most reliable performer in flat sprints and arrives at the Renewi Tour as the clear favourite.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Jasper Philipsen leads the field with a Sprint stat of 82 and the best recent form of any sprinter in similar-profile races, averaging 3.2 across 8 outings with 1 win and 5 podiums. His consistency on flat finishes makes him the clear favorite for Stage 2.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier form the chasing duo. Milan's Sprint stat of 84 is the highest in the field and he has 3 wins in recent flat races, while Merlier's 4 wins in similar races this period underline his finishing speed. Either could beat Philipsen on the right day with the right lead-out.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Jonathan Milan tops the Sprint rankings at 84 and has 3 wins in similar-profile races over the last 90 days, though his average position of 18.2 shows some inconsistency. His raw pace on flat roads makes him a genuine threat for the win.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Tim Merlier boasts 4 wins in similar-profile races this period and a Sprint stat of 83, making him one of the deadliest pure sprinters in the peloton. His average of 20.1 hides the quality of his best days, and racing on home Belgian roads is a bonus.
★★
Dark Horses
Olav Kooij, Arnaud De Lie, and Biniam Girmay offer real dark horse potential. Kooij is consistently competitive with a win and solid averages, De Lie brings home-road advantage and strong pedigree on Belgian sprints, and Girmay's 3 podiums in 8 flat races show he regularly challenges for the podium.
Lotto Intermarché
Lotto Intermarché
Arnaud De Lie carries a Sprint stat of 79 and is explicitly confirmed for the Renewi Tour, racing on his home roads where he consistently excels. Though recent form data is limited, his pedigree on Belgian flat finishes makes him a dangerous dark horse.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Biniam Girmay (Sprint 79) has been consistently in the mix with 3 podiums and 6 top-10s in 8 similar-profile races, averaging 19.6. His all-round ability and finishing kick make him a reliable dark horse for a flat bunch sprint.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Olav Kooij has a Sprint stat of 81 and solid recent form with an 11.5 average and 1 win in 8 similar races, showing he is reliably competitive on flat stages. He is capable of matching the top sprinters on the right day.
★
Ones to Watch
Groenewegen, Wærenskjold, Bittner, and Welsford round out the top 10 as riders to watch. Groenewegen's pedigree and Wærenskjold's win this season suggest they can disrupt the hierarchy, while Bittner and Welsford have shown enough quality to sneak a result if the top favourites are poorly positioned.
Unibet Rose
Unibet Rose
Dylan Groenewegen (Sprint 78) is a confirmed starter and a former top-level sprinter capable of winning on flat stages, though recent form data is sparse. He remains a credible outsider who can upset the favorites if delivered in position.
Picnic PostNL
Picnic PostNL
Pavel Bittner (Sprint 78) is confirmed for the Renewi Tour and has shown flashes of top-10 ability in flat sprints, though averaging 33.2 in recent similar races points to inconsistency. He is one to watch for a surprise result.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Sam Welsford (Sprint 77) has an average of 14.0 in 3 similar-profile races with a podium finish, suggesting he can perform well in bunch sprint finishes. Backed by a strong INEOS Grenadiers lead-out, he is a credible outside contender.
Uno-X Mobility
Uno-X Mobility
Søren Wærenskjold (Sprint 78) has a win and 3 podiums in 10 similar-profile races this period, showing genuine pace on flat roads. His TT score of 76 also suggests strong engine that could help him contest a fast finish.
Verdict
Jasper Philipsen is the top favorite thanks to the best combination of Sprint stats and recent form, with Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier as the most dangerous challengers capable of taking the win.