Favorites stage 3 of the Renewi Tour 2025 | If Van der Poel has something circled in red, you’d better watch out…

After the riders roll out from Aalter in East Flanders, the early phase will cover mostly flat roads. But in the second hour of racing, the real obstacles will appear, with climbs such as the Taaienberg, Berg Ten Houte, the Muur van Geraardsbergen, and the Bosberg. The climbs come in quick succession, making for an expected war of attrition deep into the finale.

The local laps around Geraardsbergen must be completed twice, featuring the famous Muur, Bosberg, Onkerzele Berg, Denderoodberg, and finally the finish on the Vesten. Each lap is about 33 kilometers, meaning the final hour and a half will be fought on authentic Flemish cycling terrain.

The finish, as mentioned, traditionally lies on the Vesten, just before the steep cobbles of the Muur come into view. In the final kilometer, the riders first cross the bridge over the Dender before heading into the center of Geraardsbergen. There, the road already kicks up nastily, with a passage over the market square. After some twisting turns, the finish line awaits, where the rising gradients will bite harder and harder.

Times
Start: 1:03 p.m.
Finish: 5 p.m.

A small chance of some splashes, about 10% to 20%, although it will not rain all day. At a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, it will be pleasant racing weather, with the wind not playing a major role. The wind, moderate from the north-northwest, won’t play a decisive role, though it will mainly be at the riders’ backs for the stretch between Aalter and Geraardsbergen.

Riders, beware! None other than Mathieu van der Poel has marked this third stage as the opportunity for a stage win. “Especially the stage finishing in Geraardsbergen on day three, I’ve circled in red,” the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider said when announcing his program. And if MVDP says so, you’d better believe it. After all, he already won here back in 2020, so we can’t help but mark Van der Poel as the top favorite.

At Alpecin-Deceuninck, they have several cards to play: what about Tibor del Grosso or Gianni Vermeersch? Two strong outsiders who, in the shadow of Van der Poel, could aim for a top result. Multiple Renewi Tour winner Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) will need to be at the front to have a shot at the overall victory again. The Belgian champion is riding very strongly this year and could just as easily win on the Vesten with a solo like he did at the Nationals. With Florian Vermeersch, Wellens also has a powerful teammate to support him.

At Soudal Quick-Step, the finale may prove a bit too tough for Paul Magnier, but they do have Yves Lampaert, a true Flandrien who should be capable of handling this finish. At that other Belgian team, Lotto, they have one of the top favorites in Arnaud De Lie. Alongside cyclocross rider Toon Aerts and Muur Classics winner Jenno Berckmoes, they can form a formidable block.

Like De Lie, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) is a fast finisher who should be able to manage these Flemish climbs. Lidl-Trek also brings two such riders in Thibau Nys and Jasper Stuyven. More Belgians line up with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, who will hope Oliver Naesen, Dries De Bondt, and Stan Dewulf can make an impact. Maxim Van Gils (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe) is also well-suited for this type of racing, along with teammate Mick Van Dijke.

Top favorite: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Outsiders: Tim Wellens (UAE Emirates-XRG), Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek)
Long shots: Tibor del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Florian Vermeersch (UAE Emirates-XRG), Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step), Toon Aerts (Lotto), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek),Oliver Naesen (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Maxim van Gils (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe), Mick van Dijke (RedBull-BORA-hansgrohe), Nils Eekhoff (Picnic PostNL), Mike Teunissen (XDS-Astana), Axel Laurence (INEOS Grenadiers)