Confirmed: Van Aert to skip E3 Saxo Classic after Sanremo podium
The Belgian has plenty to build on after a strong showing at La Primavera, though he will not start in the Flemish Classic he has won twice, as confirmed by the team on Wednesday.
Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) is confirmed to skip the E3 Saxo Classic on March 27 following his third-place finish at Milan-Sanremo behind Tadej PogaÄŤar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5).Â
After a fine performance at Milan-Sanremo that saw the Belgian finish on the podium of a Monument for the first time since 2023 at Paris-Roubaix, it’s clear that Van Aert’s recovery from his fractured ankle in January is going well.Â
Van Aert, a two-time winner of the race, is to forego participating in the race for the first time since 2020.
“The E3 Saxo Classic? A beautiful race, which I have already won twice and where I enjoy riding, but I have always said that this season we will see week after week what is needed to work towards the Monuments,” Van Aert told the media after Milan-Sanremo.
Van Aert’s provisional schedule includes Gent-Wevelgem and Dwars door Vlaanderen in the build-up to Flanders and Roubaix, but his performance in Italy isn't enough to tempt him and the team into adapting his program.Â
“I have been tapering very hard for this race over the past week,” said Van Aert regarding his Classics preparations.Â
Both Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) are currently slated to ride the 68th edition of the mini-Ronde, with the Dutchman being the two-time defending champion.Â
Visma | Lease a Bike's lineup includes, Christophe Laporte, Edoardo Affini, Per Strand Hagnes, Axel Zingle, Filippo Fiorelli, Timo Kielich, and Owain Doull.
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