Belgium arrives at the start of the 113th edition of the Tour de France with 31 riders, one more than host nation France. A number that confirms the extraordinary depth of the Belgian cycling movement, capable of presenting itself at the Grande Boucle with general classification contenders, top-tier sprinters, stage hunters and some of the strongest domestiques in the entire peloton.

This is a Belgium that dreams big, while knowing that the main favorite for the final victory remains Tadej Pogacar. But if there is a nation that can play a leading role in almost every type of stage, it is Belgium.

Eyes are inevitably focused on Remco Evenepoel, who after leaving Soudal Quick-Step has chosen Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe with a very specific objective: to have an even more competitive team in the pursuit of Tour de France glory. The Olympic champion has not raced since Liège-Bastogne-Liège and will arrive at the start with over two months without competition. A choice carefully planned down to the smallest detail to present himself at the Grande Boucle in peak physical condition.

However, doubts remain. Will Evenepoel be able to hold his own against Pogacar and Vingegaard on the hardest climbs? And above all, how will the coexistence work with Florian Lipowitz, third-placed finisher at last year's Tour and also designated as a general classification leader by the German team? This will be one of the great tactical keys of the 2026 edition.

The other Belgian card for the general classification is Cian Uijtdebroeks. At just 23 years old, the Movistar climber will finally make his Tour de France debut. There is less pressure around him compared to what accompanies Evenepoel, but his talent is undeniable. The Spanish team believes strongly in his qualities and a top-ten finish in the general classification appears to be an absolutely realistic objective.

Not just general classification riders, but also fast wheels, and Belgium presents itself with four sprinters ready to dominate the sprints. Few nations can boast a lineup of sprinters like Belgium's. The main reference remains Tim Merlier, already a three-time stage winner at the Tour and determined to further enrich his palmares. At his service will be men of absolute experience such as Bert Van Lerberghe and Jasper Stuyven.

The other great protagonist will be Jasper Philipsen, already a ten-time stage winner at the Grande Boucle. Coming off a brilliant Baloise Belgium Tour, he will once again be able to count on the perfect work of Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert to set up the sprints.

Attention is also on Milan Fretin, who with Cofidis will experience his first Tour as captain in the sprints, and on Arnaud De Lie, a talented Lotto Dstny rider who remains one of the most unpredictable men in the group after the physical problems he has experienced in recent months.

Belgium will also be a protagonist behind the scenes, with men of the caliber of Victor Campenaerts, who will be one of the most valuable men at the service of Jonas Vingegaard in Visma-Lease a Bike, especially after the absences that have diminished the Dutch team. Tim Wellens and Florian Vermeersch will instead have the task of accompanying Tadej Pogacar in the decisive phases of the race with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, while Maxim Van Gils will represent one of Evenepoel's key references on high mountain days.

There will also be room for the experience of Tiesj Benoot, called upon to guide the very young Paul Seixas in his first Tour participation, and for workhorses like Edward Planckaert, Tom Van Asbroeck and Piet Allegaert, fundamental for their respective sprinters.

Belgium will also be able to count on a group of riders who will have complete freedom of action. Lennert Van Eetvelt will aim exclusively for stage victories, as will Ilan Van Wilder, coming off a convincing Tour of Switzerland, and Jasper Stuyven, who will alternate his work for Merlier with his personal ambitions.

Tom Pidcock and Pinarello Q36.5 will be able to count on Xandro Meurisse and Brent Van Moer. Pay attention also to Jenno Berckmoes, Liam Slock, Lars Craps, Louis Vervaeke, Quinten Hermans, Brent Van Moer, Jente Biermans, Emiel Verstrynge, Ramses Debruyne, Vlad Van Mechelen and Robbe Dhondt, all riders who could find in breakaways the ideal terrain to leave their mark.

Many of them will experience their first Tour of their careers, others are now specialists of transition stages, where Belgium continues to express some of the best interpreters of modern cycling.

If France is betting mainly on the growth of its young riders, Belgium arrives at the Tour with an extremely balanced team. There are two men capable of fighting for the general classification, four sprinters who can win in any sprint, numerous offensive riders ready to animate breakaways and a battery of domestiques among the best in the international panorama.

The final victory appears to be a complicated mission in the face of the announced dominance of Pogacar and the solidity of Vingegaard, but Belgium has all the credentials to be one of the most winning nations of the Grande Boucle. And, even if the yellow jersey could remain a difficult objective, Belgium has the potential to climb the podium of stage victories, conquer special jerseys and confirm itself, once again, as one of the great protagonists of the Tour de France.