Arnaud De Lie wins final stage and secures overall victory in Renewi Tour
Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) clinched the twentieth edition of the Renewi Tour (WorldTour) on Sunday, sealing the overall win by sprinting to victory in the fifth and final stage in Leuven.
De Lie overtook Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R) in the closing metres, after De Bondt had attempted to outwit the peloton with a late solo attack a kilometre from the line. Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) also passed De Bondt, finishing second.
In the general classification, De Lie, who went into the stage as leader, finished three seconds ahead of Van der Poel. The 23-year-old “Stier van Lescheret” succeeds Tim Wellens, who claimed the Belgian-Dutch stage race for the fourth time last year. The reigning Belgian champion completed the podium in third place.
The day’s breakaway was launched by Edoardo Affini after 31 kilometres. The Italian was later joined by Kasper Asgreen, Siebe Deweirdt and Aivaras Mikutis. The quartet gained a maximum advantage of three minutes before being reeled in by the peloton with 50 kilometres remaining.
Davide Ballerini and Axel Huens then tried their luck, but Huens was caught and Ballerini was reeled in before the Green Kilometre. Van der Poel then picked up three seconds while race leader De Lie gained just one. Van der Poel pressed on and was joined by Tim Wellens, Toms Skujins and Alberto Bettiol, but their move was neutralised with 13 kilometres to go.
The tension remained high, though Van der Poel kept control at the front. The peloton drove towards the Bondgenotenlaan, where De Bondt launched another attack in the final kilometre, only to be caught just before the line. In the ensuing bunch sprint, De Lie proved the fastest, finishing ahead of Van der Poel to take the stage and the overall victory.
Belgian Arnaud De Lie of Lotto Cycling Team celebrates as he wins the fifth and last stage of the Renewi Tour on Sunday 24 August, 2025. © BELGA PHOTO DAVID PINTENS
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