Start in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem, a sprint stage in Knokke-Heist, a time trial in Beveren, an Ardennes stage in Durbuy and the apotheosis under the Atomium in Brussels. The Baloise Belgium Tour crosses the three regions between 14 and 18 June and has something to offer to every type of rider. All-rounder Mathieu van der Poel start as the top favourite in this five-day UCI ProSeries cycling race, but the list of names hoping for one or more stage wins is more impressive and longer than ever this year.
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal Quick-Step), Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny), Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X), … When it comes to sprinting at this week’s Baloise Belgium Tour, these bigwigs will certainly be in it to win it. They have all won mass sprints in the Tour de France and apart from Kristoff they have all won one or more stages in previous editions of the Baloise Belgium Tour. Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Sam Welsford (DSM), who have already won several sprints this year, will try to give them a run for their money.
But if you want to win the Baloise Belgium Tour, you have to be an all-rounder. Five stages and as many diverse courses may produce a versatile winner in the end as has traditionally been the case on this tour. Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), winner of Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix this spring, is undoubtedly such a person. The Dutchman starts as top favourite. Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny) and Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step) can also make a difference on challenging terrain. Lampaert, last year’s Tour de France prologue winner, is also strong at racing against the clock.
Additionally, John Degenkolb (DSM), Sep Vanmarcke (Israel-Premier Tech), Dries De Bondt (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Gianni Vermeersch (Alpecin-Deceuninck) are riders who will probably not go unnoticed over the five days either. Thibau Nys (Trek-Segafredo) is also ambitious to show what he’s got. The 20-year-old Neo Pro scored his first professional victory a few weeks ago in the Tour of Norway, followed immediately by a second win in the GP Canton Aargau in Switzerland on Friday, and will ride in his backyard, so to speak, in the opening stage with start and finish in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem on Wednesday.
Start at the Basilica, Finish at the Atomium
The official team presentation of the Baloise Belgium Tour will take place on the square in front of the Scherpenheuvel Basilica on Tuesday 13 June from 5:30 to 6:30pm. After the opening stage in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem on Wednesday, there will be a flat stage from Merelbeke to Knokke-Heist on Thursday, a 15 km individual time trial in Beveren on Friday and a tough climbing stage in and around Durbuy on Saturday. The Baloise Belgium Tour has its denouement on Sunday 18 June with a stage from Brussels to Brussels, finishing at the Atomium.
Safety
Safety for the riders is again one of the major priorities in this Baloise Belgium Tour. In addition to the digital signs already used in several spring races, safety partner Safe Cycling has developed digital ‘obstacle safety lights’: poles that are in dangerous places are wrapped in padding and are signposted with a digital arrow above them. The Safety Turns introduced last year in dangerous corners also return, as do Boplan’s safety bumpers and totems.
Baloise Kids Ride
It is also very important for children to (learn to) cycle safely. The Baloise Belgium Tour is committed to this through the organisation of Baloise Kids Rides in Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (Wednesday 14 June), Durbuy (Saturday 17 June) and Brussels (Sunday 18 June). Children between 6 and 12 can participate for free. They get up close and personal with cycling and learn to improve their technical skills on the bike. They will do this through an obstacle course and a guided ride on a section of the pro course final. Afterwards, everyone will receive a well-deserved medal.
Stage Schedule
• Stage 1 – 14.06: Scherpenheuvel-Zichem – Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (165 km)
• Stage 2 – 15.06: Merelbeke – Knokke-Heist (175.7 km)
• Stage 3 – 16.06: Beveren (individual time trial 15.2 km)
• Stage 4 – 17.06: Durbuy – Durbuy (172.6 km)
• Stage 5 – 18.06: Brussels – Brussels (194.8 km)
