Remco Evenepoel will be the number one favorite of the Benelux Tour 2021, a stage race between the Netherlands and Belgium starting tomorrow, August 30th, and ending on Sunday September 5th. The 21-year-old talent of Deceuninck Quick Step, winner of the Brussels Classic yesterday, is now a specialist in short races for a week (this year he has already won the Tour of Denmark and Belgium). The competition for the final success, at the former BinckBank Tour, is not lacking even if the main antagonist of the Belgian, the defending champion Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix) will not be there due to a serious back injury.

The prominent names - Evenepoel's first challenger is one of his team mates: Kasper Asgreen, winner of the Tour of Flanders and gifted with excellent qualities on challenging uphill stretches and time trials. Attention to the Bahrain Victorius duo formed by Matej Mohoric and Sonny Colbrelli, with the latter eager to find the right pedaling in view of the double European-World championship. Wilco Kelderman (Bora-hansgrohe), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo Visma) and Soren Kragh Andersen (Team DSM), who will share the captain's ranks with Tiesj Benoot, could also think about the final standings.

The top sprinters - But the Benelux Tour is above all fertile ground for the fast wheels of the group who will have at least three opportunities to participate in sprints in compact ranks. Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal), Tim Merlier (Alpecin Fenix), Alvaro Hodeg (Deceunick Quick Step), Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo Visma), Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorius), Fernando Gaviria (Uae Emirates) and Mads Pedersen (Trek) will be at the start Segafredo). Peter Sagan (Bora hansgrohe) also returns to racing after retiring from the Tour.

Time trial and walls - The course winks at the men from the Northern classics and at those who want to prepare for the world championship to be held in Flanders in a month. But beware of narrow roads and the weather, which could affect the whole week.

PATH

Stage 1 - Monday 30th August: Surhuisterveen - Dokkum of 169 km.
Completely flat stage, it's time for the sprinters.

Stage 2 - Tuesday 31 August: Lelystad (individual time trial) of 11 km.
First duel between the favorites for the final victory.

Stage 3 - Wednesday 1st September: Essen - Hoogerheide of 168 km.
Circuit and finish slightly uphill but it is the second chance for fast wheels.

Stage 4 - Thursday 2nd September: Aalter - Ardooie of 166 km.
Another flat stage suitable for sprinters.

Stage 5 - Friday 3 September: Riemst - Bilzen of 188 km.
Fifteen walls, the last one five kilometers from the finish. For the daredevils.

Stage 6 - Saturday 4th September: Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve - Houffalize of 208 km.
Eleven more snatches to attempt the enterprise.

Stage 7 - Sunday 5th September: Namur - Geraardsbergen of 180 km.
Circuit with the historic walls of Flanders and challenging stretches of cobblestones.

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