On the third day of the Renewi Tour, riders face the stage that has long been considered the climax of last year’s edition and previous ones. The finale no longer heads to the Muur of Geraardsbergen on the last day, meaning the general classification is often shaken up earlier in the race.

After a short opening circuit near the start in Aalter (close to Bruges), the peloton heads into the Flemish Ardennes. The climbing begins after roughly seventy kilometers, with the Rottelenberg (800 meters at 4.6%), Kortekeer, Taaienberg (800 meters at 9%), Berg ten Houte (1.1 kilometers at 6.2%), Brique-Potterée (1.9 kilometers at 4.3%), and Parikeberg (800 meters at 4.4%) all awaiting.

With 114 kilometers completed, the riders cross the finish line for the first time on the cobbles of the Vesten in Geraardsbergen. Then follows a 25-kilometer circuit to be completed three times. The loop begins with the old Tour of Flanders finale: first the feared Muur of Geraardsbergen (1.2 kilometers at 7.8%) and then the Bosberg (1.4 kilometers at 5%). Later in the circuit, the Onkerzele Berg (2.3 kilometers at 3.2%) and Denderoordberg (0.7 kilometers at 7.5%) add two more climbs that should not be underestimated.