Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Yesterday, Aug 24, 2025, Leuven hosted the final stage of the five-day Renewi Tour won by Arnaud De Lie. The race replaces the 1963 GP Poeske Scherens, with more major events ahead.
As VRT News reported, Leuven is expanding its profile as a sports city with a clear focus on cycling. The city organised the fifth and final stage of the five-day Renew Tour yesterday, Aug 24, 2025, with a sprint finish won by Arnaud De Lie and second place going to Mathieu van der Poel.
Starting next year, the final stage of the Renew Tour will become the now historic Grote Prijs Poeske Scherens. This race has brought together amateur and professional cyclists since 1963 as a tribute to a cycling legend in Leuven, Poeske Scherens.
What major sporting events will follow the Renewi Tour finale in Leuven?
Several other major competitions are scheduled to follow in the city. On September 2, 2025, Leuven will host the Simac Ladies Tour, the only UCI Women’s WorldTour stage race in the Benelux, with stages passing through the city centre. Later, on October 19, 2025, Leuven will once again organise the World Gravel Championships.
Sports Alderman Christophe Stockman (Vooruit) stated that Leuven’s approach is broader than professional racing, with the city also investing in G-sport competitions to provide opportunities for athletes with disabilities. The city’s plans confirm its intention to continue bringing top international races while ensuring inclusive access to sport.
Carl Vansteenkiste, organiser with sports company Golazo, said that the city provides good conditions for international competitions.
“We love coming here because the city offers so many possibilities for sporting events,”
He explained. He pointed out that Leuven delivers more than just suitable facilities and routes.
Vansteenkiste added that Leuven always attracts top athletes, but he stressed that the spectators are just as important. According to him, the public plays a major role in giving the races their unique energy. Leuven’s large student community and young, active population help to create strong support along the course, while events such as the European Running Championships have also shown that the city appeals to a wide and diverse audience.
“We always used to come to the GP Poeske Scherens, even taking time off work. We’d come especially from Hulsthout,”
Says cycling enthusiast Clemoniek.
“There was a bit less activity on the sports front for a while, but now a lot is going on again. You see the riders passing by here very often; it’s worth it.”
Leuven has a long tradition as a sports city, with major events marking its history. In 1963, the Grote Prijs Poeske Scherens was launched to honour world sprint champion Jef “Poeske” Scherens, who dominated cycling between 1932 and 1947.
The city hosted the UCI Road World Championships in 2021, which brought large crowds and global media coverage. More recently, Leuven staged the European Running Championships in 2023 and the World Gravel Championships in 2024.
