Van der Poel looks for race rhythm and wins in Luxembourg before heading to the World Championships: dates, key points and favourites

The 2026 Tour of Luxembourg will take place from September 16 to 20 with five stages and Mathieu van der Poel as the main name of the race. The Dutchman returns to the road after his mountain bike block and has chosen Luxembourg to complete his preparation before the World Championship in Montreal.

Tour of Luxembourg 2026: five stages and a decisive time trial

The 86th edition of the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg will feature just over 700 kilometers spread over four hilly stages and an individual time trial. A format especially favorable for explosive riders who can also defend themselves against the clock.

The race will start with 157.7 km around Luxembourg and a finish of 550 meters at 8.8%, a perfect ending for punchers. The second stage, 167.1 km to Junglinster, presents less difficulty and could offer the best opportunity for fast riders.

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On Friday, one of the important stages will arrive. The 180.1 km between Wiltz and Diekirch includes seven categorized climbs, four of which are concentrated within the last 30 kilometers. 

On Saturday, the individual time trial of 20.4 km around Ettelbruck will take place. Far from being completely flat, it accumulates nearly 400 meters of elevation gain and should establish significant differences in the general classification. The last opportunity will come on Sunday with 177 km to Luxembourg and a final circuit where the Pabeierbierg, 830 meters at 8.8%, will have to be climbed several times. 

Stages of the Tour of Luxembourg 2026

1. Wednesday 16: Luxembourg – Luxembourg | 157.7 km
2. Thursday 17: Differdange – Junglinster | 167.1 km
3. Friday 18: Wiltz – Diekirch | 180.1 km
4. Saturday 19: Ettelbruck – Ettelbruck | ITT | 20.4 km
5. Sunday 20: Mersch – Luxembourg | 177 km

Van der Poel repeats his 2024 formula before the World Championship

Mathieu van der Poel will be the main focus of attention. The Dutchman has chosen Luxembourg as his last race before the road World Championship in Montreal on September 27, repeating the preparation he followed in 2024.

At that time, he won the first stage, finished second in the general classification behind Antonio Tiberi, and a week later, he secured bronze at the World Championship in Zurich.

"I have good memories of the Tour of Luxembourg from two years ago. I won a stage, was close a few more times, and finished second in the general classification. More importantly, I then had a good World Championship in Zurich.", Van der Poel explains in statements collected by Domestique.

This time he arrives after completing a block focused on mountain biking that ended with his 30th position at the XCO World Championship in Val di Sole. Luxembourg also marks his return to road competition since the Tour de France.

"After my mountain bike block, I definitely need some race rhythm and competitive kilometers on the road. That is my main goal here," he acknowledges.

Although the World Championship is the priority, Van der Poel is also looking to seek stage victories. The route offers him several opportunities, especially on the first, third, and last days. To compete for the general classification, he will need to limit losses in the time trial in Ettelbruck.

Favorites for the Tour of Luxembourg 2026

Van der Poel stands out in a participation conditioned by the proximity of the World Championship and the recent conclusion of the Vuelta a España.

Visma Lease a Bike will feature Davide Piganzoli, Per Strand Hagenes, and Timo Kielich, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG presents Igor Arrieta, accompanied by Adrià Pericas and Filippo Baroncini.

Alpecin-Premier Tech will have other options besides Van der Poel with Emiel Verstrynge and Senna Remijn. Among the names to watch are also Jasper Stuyven, Andrea Bagioli, Søren Kragh Andersen, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Neilson Powless, and Mikkel Frølich Honoré.

Five days of hilly terrain and a decisive time trial will serve to determine the successor of Brandon McNulty and, above all, to see how Van der Poel arrives at his major end-of-season goal.