{"id":1188808,"date":"2026-09-06T01:23:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-06T01:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1188808\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T01:23:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T01:23:34","slug":"tour-of-britain-2026-stage-5-preview-profiles-favourites-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1188808\/","title":{"rendered":"Tour of Britain 2026 stage 5 preview, profiles, favourites & predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Last year it was Romain Gr\u00e9goire who took the overall win over former World Champions Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe.<\/p>\n

Stages Tour of Britain 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n\nStage<\/td>\nDate<\/td>\nStarting location<\/td>\nFinishing location<\/td>\nDistance (km)<\/td>\nType<\/td>\nEst. start<\/td>\nEst. finish<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1<\/td>\nWed 2 Sep<\/td>\nLincoln<\/td>\nLincoln<\/td>\n182.5<\/td>\nHilly<\/td>\n11:45<\/td>\n15:50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2<\/td>\nThu 3 Sep<\/td>\nBoston<\/td>\nSkegness<\/td>\n181.1<\/td>\nFlat<\/td>\n11:45<\/td>\n16:10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n3<\/td>\nFri 4 Sep<\/td>\nHull<\/td>\nBeverley<\/td>\n196<\/td>\nFlat<\/td>\n11:45<\/td>\n16:10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n4<\/td>\nSat 5 Sep<\/td>\nHelmsley<\/td>\nLeyburn<\/td>\n164<\/td>\nHilly<\/td>\n12:15<\/td>\n16:10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n5<\/td>\nSun 6 Sep<\/td>\nEarlston<\/td>\nEarlston<\/td>\n159<\/td>\nFlat<\/td>\n12:15<\/td>\n16:00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 stage 5<\/p>\n

The final stage of the Tour of Britain features some rolling terrain around Earlston, but the main climbs all come well before the finish and are unlikely to create major differences between the GC contenders.<\/p>\n

Tim Wellens therefore starts the day in a strong position to defend his 21-second lead over Lewis Askey, while the stage itself should favour the sprinters. Olav Kooij and Tim Merlier have already taken one bunch sprint each and again look like the two strongest options, with Ethan Vernon, Matteo Moschetti and Sam Bennett among the main outsiders.<\/p>\n

A breakaway could still make the race difficult to control, but if the bunch stays together the final kilometres should offer another direct Kooij-Merlier showdown.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 stage 5:<\/p>\n

*** Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

** Tim Merlier<\/p>\n

* Ethan Vernon, Matteo Moschetti, Sam Bennett, Sam Welsford, Timothy Dupont<\/p>\n

Pick: Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

How: Regular bunch sprint.<\/p>\n

Profile stage 5: Earlston – Earlston\"Profile<\/p>\n

Earlston – Earlston, 159 kilometers<\/p>\n

The final stage of the race goes through some rolling terrain, but in the 159-kilometer loop around Earlston, there won’t be any meaningful climbs in which differences can be made. A breakaway can succeed, but a bunch sprint is still the likely scenario at the end of the day.<\/p>\n

Previous previews <\/b><\/p>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 overall classification<\/p>\n

The overall classification should be decided on only two stages, the first being the opening day in which there are not tactics, only good positioning towards the end. Then stage 4 has one relatively long climb where differences can still be made.<\/p>\n

UAE have Tim Wellens, Florian Vermeersch, Felix Grossschartner and Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy all as contenders for the GC and they must use their depth if they want to win this race.<\/p>\n

Ilan van WIlder, Yannis Voisard and Aur\u00e9lien Paret-Peintre are more guided towards the longer efforts and can be part of the battle whilst on the faster type of riders we’ve got figures such as Filippo Ganna, Connor Swift and Laurenz Rex who may be a threat.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 overall classification:\u00a0<\/p>\n

*** Ilan van Wilder, Tim Wellens<\/p>\n

** Yannis Voisard, Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy<\/p>\n

* Felix Grossschartner, Aur\u00e9lien Paret-Peintre, Filippo Ganna<\/p>\n

Pick:<\/b> Tim Wellens<\/p>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 stage 1<\/p>\n

The opening stage will be all about positioning into the climb. Sprinters can win it, puncheurs can win it too. Olav Kooij might be the main favourite in a field where his form should be enough to survive the climb, and have the legs to sprint.<\/p>\n

But the puncheurs stand just as good chances, someone like Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy is of the best in the world on this kind of effort.<\/p>\n

Laurenz Rex, Tim Wellens, Aur\u00e9lien Paret-Peintre, Ethan Vernon, Matteo Trentin, Rick Pluimers and Filippo Ganna are all outsiders for this stage.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 stage 1:<\/p>\n

*** Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

** Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy, Laurenz Rex<\/p>\n

* Tim Wellens, Aur\u00e9lien Paret-Peintre, Tim Merlier, Filippo Ganna, Ethan Vernon, Jake Stewart, Matteo Trentin, Rick Pluimers<\/p>\n

Pick<\/b>: Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

How: Reduced bunch sprint<\/p>\n

Profile stage 1: Lincoln – Lincoln\"Profile<\/p>\n

Lincoln – Lincoln, 182 kilometers<\/p>\n

The race begins in Lincoln, perhaps with its most important stage of all. The race won’t feature any big climbs this year, and so the overall classification will be decided in a matter of seconds, and bonifications most likely.<\/p>\n

In the iconic British city there will be a decision on the opening day atop one of the most famous finales in the country.<\/p>\n

In Lincoln, the riders will do a circuit around Michaelgate, the 400-meter long climb that averages just over 10% which brings the first stage to a closing. The riders will go up it on five occasions in the finish circuit, and the end of the climb is placed 500 meters away from the finish line.<\/p>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 stage 2<\/p>\n

The opening stage of the race was tackled like an all-out classic, something that blew the overall classification up fully. Hence, the minor seconds may not be relevant at the end to finish in the Top10 or a similar result, meaning that we shouldn’t see the GC men get in the middle of a sprinter stage.<\/p>\n

There are two clear favourites, two Tour de France stage winners that is: Tim Merlier and Olav Kooij. Both have good leadouts, and the latter has great form coming in from the Renewi Tour. But Merlier is, on paper, more consistent in the flat bunch sprints.<\/p>\n

The likes of Ethan Vernon, Sam Bennett, Sam Welsford and Matteo Moschetti will also be outsiders, but potential winners if the top two don’t find themselves in ideal positions.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 stage 2:<\/p>\n

*** Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

** Ethan Vernon<\/p>\n

* Matteo Moschetti, Sam Welsford, Timothy Dupont, Matthew Walls, Sam Bennett<\/p>\n

Pick<\/b>: Tim Merlier<\/p>\n

How<\/b>: Regular bunch sprint.<\/p>\n

Profile stage 2: Boston – Skegness\"Profile<\/p>\n

Boston – Skegness, 181 kilometers<\/p>\n

Stage 2 begins in Boston and will take the riders through a flat day in the east of the country. It will be a day for the sprinters, with nothing that should prevent it, bringing the stage to a close after 181 kilometers in Skgness.<\/p>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 stage 3<\/p>\n

The third stage of the race is not too different from the second day, but the wind may not do as much damage. On paper, a stage for the sprinters, something that continues to be undeniable.<\/p>\n

Tim Merlier will be the main favourite to win the stage, having Jasper Stuyven ready to lead him out when it matters the most. Decathlon and Modern Adventure had good leadouts today, but only Olav Kooij can realistically challenge the Belgian; whilst the likes of Ethan Vernon, Sam Bennett and Matteo Moschetti will be outsiders to take it.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 stage 3:<\/p>\n

*** Tim Merlier<\/p>\n

** Olav Kooij<\/p>\n

* Ethan Vernon, Sam Bennett, Matteo Moschetti, Rick Pluimers, Sam Welsford, Timothy Dupont<\/p>\n

Pick: Tim Merlier<\/p>\n

How: Regular bunch sprint.<\/p>\n

Profile stage 3: Hull – Beverley\"Profile<\/p>\n

Hull – Beverley, 196 kilometers<\/p>\n

Stage 3 begins in Hull and will be another day for the sprinters. This time around there are a few small categorized climbs throughout the day, although none are actually real climbs.<\/p>\n

The riders arrive in Beverley and then take on a three-lap circuit, which ends with a small uphill dash to the line.<\/p>\n

Preview Tour of Britain 2026 stage 4<\/p>\n

The fourth stage is likely to be the most important day yet for the general classification. The key section comes in the final 65 kilometres, with three climbs in relatively quick succession, including 3.5 kilometres at 8.2% to Redmire.<\/p>\n

Tim Wellens should be the main favourite. He sits only 12 seconds behind Lewis Askey and this terrain suits him well, while Florian Vermeersch gives UAE Team Emirates \u2013 XRG another strong option. Askey, Jasper Stuyven and Matteo Trentin should also be in the fight, with Filippo Ganna potentially needing to attack from further out after losing time earlier in the race.<\/p>\n

There is also a final 400-metre ramp at 7% inside the last 1.5 kilometres, which could decide the stage if a reduced group stays together.<\/p>\n

Prediction Tour of Britain 2026 stage 4:<\/p>\n

*** Tim Wellens<\/p>\n

** Lewis Askey<\/p>\n

*Florian Vermeersch, Jasper Stuyven, Matteo Trentin, Daan Hoole, Filippo Ganna<\/p>\n

Pick: Tim Wellens<\/p>\n

How: Attack or selection on the Redmire climbing sequence, followed by victory from a reduced GC group.<\/p>\n

Profile stage 4: Helmsley – Leyburn\"Profile<\/p>\n

Helmsley – Helmsley, 164 kilometers<\/p>\n

Perhaps the queen stage of the race, the fourth day of the Tour of Britain starts and finishes in the town of Helmsley. A few climbs throughout the day make be decisive for the outcome of the race.<\/p>\n

In particular, those in the final 65 kilometers. 2.4Km at 6.3% (64Km to go); the climb to Redmire (3.5Km; 8.2%; 40.5Km to go) and a hilltop right after which is 2.2Km long at 5.6%, ending with 35 kilometers to go.<\/p>\n

On this sequence of two climbs damage will have to be made by those who climb best, hoping to take advantage and improve their chances of winning. If the difference is not made there, there is a 400-meter ramp at 7% with 1.5 kilometers to go which can do it, before a slight uphill drag to the line.<\/p>\n

List of winners Tour of Britain\u00a0<\/p>\n\nYear<\/b><\/td>\n1st<\/b><\/td>\n2nd<\/b><\/td>\n3rd<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2025<\/td>\nRomain Gr\u00e9goire<\/td>\nRemco Evenepoel<\/td>\nJulian Alaphilippe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2024<\/td>\nStephen Williams<\/td>\nOscar Onley<\/td>\nTom Donnenwirth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2023<\/td>\nWout van Aert<\/td>\nTobias Halland Johannessen<\/td>\nDamien Howson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2022<\/td>\nGonzalo Serrano<\/td>\nTom Pidcock<\/td>\nOmar Fraile<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2021<\/td>\nWout van Aert<\/td>\nEthan Hayter<\/td>\nJulian Alaphilippe<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2020<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n\u2014<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2019<\/td>\nMathieu van der Poel<\/td>\nMatteo Trentin<\/td>\nJasper De Buyst<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2018<\/td>\nJulian Alaphilippe<\/td>\nWout Poels<\/td>\nPrimo\u017e Rogli\u010d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2017<\/td>\nLars Boom<\/td>\nEdvald Boasson Hagen<\/td>\nStefan K\u00fcng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2016<\/td>\nSteve Cummings<\/td>\nRohan Dennis<\/td>\nTom Dumoulin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2015<\/td>\nEdvald Boasson Hagen<\/td>\nWout Poels<\/td>\nOwain Doull<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2014<\/td>\nDylan van Baarle<\/td>\nMicha\u0142 Kwiatkowski<\/td>\nBradley Wiggins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2013<\/td>\nBradley Wiggins<\/td>\nMartin Elmiger<\/td>\nSimon Yates<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2012<\/td>\nNathan Haas<\/td>\nDamiano Caruso<\/td>\nLeigh Howard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2011<\/td>\nLars Boom<\/td>\nSteve Cummings<\/td>\nJan B\u00e1rta<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2010<\/td>\nMichael Albasini<\/td>\nBorut Bo\u017ei\u010d<\/td>\nGregory Henderson<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2009<\/td>\nEdvald Boasson Hagen<\/td>\nChris Sutton<\/td>\nMartin Reimer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2008<\/td>\nGeoffroy Lequatre<\/td>\nSteve Cummings<\/td>\nIan Stannard<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2007<\/td>\nRomain Feillu<\/td>\nAdri\u00e1n Palomares<\/td>\nLuke Roberts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2006<\/td>\nMartin Pedersen<\/td>\nLuis Pasamontes<\/td>\nFilippo Pozzato<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2005<\/td>\nNick Nuyens<\/td>\nMichael Blaudzun<\/td>\nJavier Cherro<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n2004<\/td>\nMauricio Alberto Ardila<\/td>\nJulian Dean<\/td>\nNick Nuyens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1999<\/td>\nMarc Wauters<\/td>\nBeno\u00eet Joachim<\/td>\nBj\u00f8rnar Vest\u00f8l<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1998<\/td>\nStuart O’Grady<\/td>\nChris Boardman<\/td>\nDariusz Baranowski<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1994<\/td>\nMaurizio Fondriest<\/td>\nViatcheslav Ekimov<\/td>\nOlaf Ludwig<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1993<\/td>\nPhil Anderson<\/td>\nWladimir Belli<\/td>\nBo Andr\u00e9 Namtvedt<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1992<\/td>\nMaximilian Sciandri<\/td>\nAdrie van der Poel<\/td>\nHendrik Redant<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1991<\/td>\nPhil Anderson<\/td>\nRudy Verdonck<\/td>\nHeinz Imboden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1990<\/td>\nMichel Dernies<\/td>\nRobert Millar<\/td>\nMaurizio Fondriest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1989<\/td>\nRobert Millar<\/td>\nMauro Gianetti<\/td>\nRemig Stumpf<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1988<\/td>\nMalcolm Elliott<\/td>\nJoey McLoughlin<\/td>\nSean Kelly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n1987<\/td>\nJoey McLoughlin<\/td>\nSteven Rooks<\/td>\nSergio Finazzi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Last year it was Romain Gr\u00e9goire who took the overall win over former World Champions Remco Evenepoel…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1188809,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[748,4230,393,4884,1144,6696,712,59414,181698,16,15,1764],"class_list":["post-1188808","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-britain","category-uk","category-united-kingdom","tag-britain","tag-cycling","tag-england","tag-great-britain","tag-northern-ireland","tag-preview","tag-scotland","tag-tour-of-britain","tag-uae-team-emirates-xrg","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-wales"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/117221485030234934","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1188808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188808\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1188809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1188808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1188808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1188808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}