E3 Saxo Classic 2026: Van der Poel and Van Aert open the Flemish Classics battleground

E3 Saxo Classic 2026 on March 27 brings van der Poel, van Aert, Pedersen, Asgreen, and Mohoric to 208 kilometers of cobbled Flemish terrain. Sixteen climbs including the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont decide everything.

E3 Saxo Classic 2026 is the first WorldTour Flemish cobbled classic of the week, and the startlist is loaded. Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert headline a 208-kilometer race across 16 climbs that closely mirrors the Tour of Flanders parcours. The race usually splits on the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont, and the winner comes from whoever survives those final selections.

E3 is the closest full-dress rehearsal for Flanders, so the biggest question is not just who is strongest but which team can force the cobbled selection on its own terms.