Race
Harelbeke > Harelbeke (208.8 km)
E3 Saxo Classic 2026 - Race profile
27.03
Mathieu van der Poel turned the E3 Saxo Classic into a one man show with a long range attack, only for it to almost unravel in a tense finale. After breaking clear on the Taaienberg and dropping everyone on the Paterberg, he built a seemingly comfortable lead, but a determined chase group began to close the gap in the final 20 km. In a dramatic last kilometre, hesitation among the chasers allowed Van der Poel to regroup just enough to hold on and claim a hard fought third straight win in Harelbeke.
Profile
How to watch?
Curious about how to watch the 2026 E3 Saxo Classic? Discover it in our complete how-to-watch guide, featuring a full overview of all broadcasters and streaming options.
The route
The E3 Saxo Classic unfolds over 208 kilometres around Harelbeke, on a course that rewards punchy climbers and classics specialists. The early phase is relatively controlled, with wide roads and only limited elevation, but that changes quickly once the race heads deeper into the Flemish Ardennes.
From around the midpoint, the climbs start to stack up, coming in rapid succession and steadily increasing the pressure. Sections like the Taaienberg often act as the first real selection point, where stronger riders begin to force splits. Not long after, cobbled sectors such as the Eikenberg add another layer of difficulty.
The decisive moves are usually made in the final hour, with the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont forming a brutal combination that can break the race apart. After the final climbs, a fast run in towards Harelbeke leaves little room to recover, making early positioning and timing crucial.
Read more about the route in our preview.
Favourites
The absence of Tadej Pogacar and Wout van Aert shifts the spotlight firmly onto Mathieu van der Poel, who arrives as the standout contender and a strong candidate to take another win. His ability to attack on short climbs and sustain efforts over cobbles makes him the reference point for the rest of the field.
Behind him, several riders could take advantage of a more open race. Florian Vermeersch offers a solid option for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, particularly if the race turns selective. Mads Pedersen continues to show impressive resilience and could be a factor deep into the finale. Soudal Quick-Step relies on the experience of Dylan van Baarle and Jasper Stuyven, both suited to aggressive racing.
Christophe Laporte represents Visma as a versatile threat, while names like Biniam Girmay and Tibor Del Grosso add unpredictability.
Read more about the route in our preview and explore the full start list via this link.
