Van der Poel Favored for Third E3 Saxo Classic Win

Mathieu van der Poel enters the 2026 E3 Saxo Classic as the clear favorite to secure a third consecutive victory in the Belgian cobbled one-day race, which begins Friday morning in Harelbeke. The 68th edition of the event, covering approximately 208 kilometers through Flanders' challenging terrain, features 16 climbs and multiple cobbled sectors, serving as a key test ahead of the Tour of Flanders.

The race starts at 11:50 a.m. GMT under overcast skies, with forecasts indicating a possible chance of rain later in the day. Riders departed from Harelbeke amid mild conditions, though the weather remains a pivotal element in these classics, often amplifying the difficulty of the narrow, twisting roads. One planned participant, Lotto's Luca Van Boven, withdrew before the start.

Van der Poel, riding for Alpecin-Deceuninck, dominated the previous two editions with long-range solo attacks, and his recent solo win at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad signals strong form despite a crash at Milan-Sanremo that raised questions about his recovery. Absent from the field are top rivals Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and Tom Pidcock, leaving the Dutch champion as the overwhelming frontrunner on paper. The...