UAE will have to switch to plan 'B' for Renewi Tour as their main star has been struck by illness

Tim Wellens was intended as the cornerstone of UAE Team Emirates - XRG's lineup for the upcoming Renewi Tour, but an illness has prevented him from competing. As a result, he won't be able to secure his fifth overall victory at the only WorldTour stage race held on Belgian soil. According to Het Nieuwsblad, Wellens is reportedly aiming for a comeback at the Tour of Britain (September 2-6). This sets back the Emirati team significantly. Their focus will now shift to another Belgian member of their Classics squad, Florian Vermeersch, who is 27 years old and possesses the qualities to compete for a top result at the five-day race in Wellens' absence. The team's depth allows them to play multiple cards, including riders like Julius Johansen, Rune Herregodts, or Filippo Baroncini. The 2026 Renewi Tour, historically located between the Netherlands and Belgium, will take place entirely on Belgian soil. The edition starts with two sprint stages, followed by stages ending in Geraardsbergen, Bilzen-Hoeselt, and Leuven, which are expected to provide spectacular finishes involving several spring classics stars. Ondřej Zhasil, a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate, has been part of the team since 2023. Based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, he covers professional cycling across major UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. His work focuses on startlist analysis, pre-race coverage, team selections, and tactical scenarios. He also specializes in junior cycling and races in East Asia, including China and Japan. Zhasil holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, supporting his analytical approach to performance and race analysis. He uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context, emphasizing careful sourcing and editorial accuracy.