A ceremonial start at the Basilica of Scherpenheuvel, the Hageland hills, sprints along the seafront, a queen stage in the Ardennes, a final stage in the Druivenstreek that invites attacks, … The 95th edition of the Baloise Belgium Tour, from 17 to 21 June, offers a varied route that will suit pure sprinters, puncheurs and classic riders alike. Tim Merlier, Jasper Stuyven, Tim Wellens and Mads Pedersen are just a few of the top riders set to take part.
On Tuesday evening, 16 June, the square in front of the Basilica of Scherpenheuvel will provide the impressive backdrop for the official teams presentation of the 95th Baloise Belgium Tour. Twenty-three teams, including 11 UCI WorldTeams, will line up at the start of this five-day stage race, which forms part of the UCI ProSeries (2.Pro). The first team will be presented at 5.24 p.m., with the last team taking to the stage at 6.34 p.m.
That final team will be UAE Team Emirates, the team of last year’s overall winner, Filippo Baroncini. The Italian will be joined by two very strong Belgian teammates: Florian Vermeersch and Belgian Champion Tim Wellens. Another Tim, top sprinter Tim Merlier, will be the spearhead of Soudal-Quick Step. Jasper Stuyven, Yves Lampaert and Dylan van Baarle provide the ‘classic’ input to the team. Mads Pedersen is the number one at Lidl-Trek and will be putting his full Tour de France sprint train on track during the Baloise Belgium Tour, including Edward Theuns and Otto Vergaerde.
Hills and Cobblestones
The Baloise Belgium Tour opens on Wednesday 17 June with a stage in and around Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, a stage in the Hageland region where both breakaway riders and sprinters could come out on top. With the Kerkstraat and Heuvelstraat in Molenbeek-Wersbeek, the Wingerstraat in Sint-Joris-Winge and the Dongelstraat in Kaggevinne, the programme features four short but tough climbs that must be conquered four times. The Dongelstraat is just 4 km from the finish.
Thursday’s stage, from Merelbeke-Melle in East Flanders to Knokke-Heist in West Flanders, is tailor-made for the fast men. The finish on De Wandelaar, on the seafront, is an iconic feature of the Baloise Belgium Tour. Last year, Tim Merlier won there. The route includes four cobbled sections (the Lange Munte in Scheldewindeke, the Lange Aststraat in Huise, the Brieversweg in Sijsele and the Kerkstraat in Damme), but these are a fair way from the finish.
The third stage, on Friday 19 June, is a true climbing classic. In the Ardennes stage, starting and finishing in Durbuy, the riders will have to climb the Mur de Durbuy (1.2 km at a gradient of 6.2%) four times, and that is also where the finish line is. Filippo Baroncini laid the foundations for his eventual overall victory there last year. The other tough climbs on the route are the Champ des Hêtres (2.1 km at 2.7%), the Côte de Petite Somme (2.2 km at 5.8%), the Côte Rue du Bout (2.4 km at 3.4%), the Côte de Hermanne (2.2 km at 5.8%) and the Côte Coquaimont (0.8 km at 5.1%).
The following day, the riders return to the Hageland for a stage starting in Betekom (Begijnendijk) and finishing in Aarschot. Locally renowned climbs such as the Schoonhovendreef in Aarschot, Nopstal in Rillaar, Blereberg/Optielt in Tielt, the Houwaartseberg in Houwaart and Het Rot in Nieuwrode must each be climbed four times.
On Sunday, the climax of the 95th Baloise Belgium Tour takes place in the Druivenstreek, another region with particularly gruelling climbs. The ideal setting, therefore, to play one’s final cards and launch a decisive attack in the battle for the overall victory. The final stage starts in Gingelom, Limburg, and finishes in Hoeilaart. In the run-up to the local circuits, the peloton must climb the cobbles of the Kauterhof in Hoegaarden. They then cross the Smeysberg in Huldenberg twice, and the Charles Coppensstraat, Edmond Vandervaerenstraat and Watertorenstraat in Hoeilaart, and take the Mommaertstraat, the Bergstraat and Nieuwland in Overijse three times. That final climb is 600 metres long with a gradient of 6.9% and is located 3 km from the finish on Albert Biesmanslaan in Hoeilaart.
Golden kilometre
In every stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour, bonus seconds can be earned during the so-called Golden Kilometre, a triple bonus sprint 20 to 40 km from the finish. In addition, there are also three Flandrien Checkpoint Sprints in every stage, for a separate sprint classification.
Baloise to remain on board for at least another 5 years
The organisation of the Belgian national cycling tour has been in the hands of sports and health company Golazo since 2002. Insurer Baloise has been on board as title partner since 2013. The Baloise Belgium Tour is a household name that will continue to resonate for years to come, as Baloise will remain title partner of the stage race until at least 2031.
Liesbeth Laureys, Director Marketing & Development at Baloise: “At Baloise, we have a real passion for sport. Our involvement with the Baloise Belgium Tour therefore goes far beyond mere sponsorship. As one of the largest insurers in Belgium, we want to create a total experience for both athletes and supporters. Cycling is alive and well in Belgium, touching thousands of supporters and bringing generations together. That is precisely why we have been proudly supporting this leading cycling race since 2013. We are also very proud to announce that the partnership has been extended for at least five years. The Baloise Belgium Tour is a fine illustration of what sport can mean: showcasing talent, connecting people and creating experiences.”
Christophe Impens, Director International Cycling at Golazo: “It is a welcome sign of confidence from Baloise to commit as title partner of the Baloise Belgium Tour for the long term. It shows that Baloise truly recognises the quality and impact of the race. We are very much looking forward to this 95th edition. The varied course and the start list already look very promising. It will remain exciting until the final day in Hoeilaart to find out who will claim victory in the 2026 Baloise Belgium Tour.”
Live on TV
The Baloise Belgium Tour can be followed live every day on Sporza, RTBF and Eurosport.
STAGE SCHEDULE 2026 BALOISE BELGIUM TOUR:
• Tuesday 16 June 2026: Teams presentation Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
• Wednesday 17 June 2026: Scherpenheuvel-Zichem – Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
• Thursday 18 June 2026: Merelbeke-Melle – Knokke-Heist
• Friday 19 June 2026: Durbuy – Durbuy
• Saturday 20 June 2026: Begijnendijk (Betekom) – Aarschot
• Sunday 21 June 2026: Gingelom – Hoeilaart
