Watch: Renewi Tour stage 1 highlights

The Renewi Tour - formerly known as the Eneco, BinckBank and Benelux Tour - is back after a one year hiatus. The race that spans the Netherlands/Belgium frontier is a welcome change of pace for WorldTour stage racing, with a natural focus on sprinting and classic riding due to the terrain of the two countries. Nevertheless, this year expect to see close and engaging racing all week.

Read more: Renewi Tour stage 1 report

Stage 1 saw the peloton take on a 16km circuit in Belgium around Blankenberge and Ardooie. Even though the race was always going to be a bunch gallop, a breakaway broke clear to contest the 'green kilometre and its multiple bonus point lines, before they were brought back for the sprint finale.

In the end it was Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who took the win ahead of Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Olav Kooij (Jumbo-Visma). It was Philipsen’s 11th win of the season and came with the bonus of the leaders jersey. Alessando Covi (UAE Team Emirates), who took the most bonus seconds in the green kilometre, is second overall, two seconds back.