Mathieu van der Poel was perhaps the most aggressive rider at the
E3 Saxo Classic today. He ignited the explosions in the race early on, but was just barely outsprinted by Wout van Aert in the final meters of the race.
It was on the Taaienberg that the race broke, under the Dutchman's attack. With good form and motivated,
Alpecin-Deceuninck supported van der Poel's aggressive stance. Dries de Bondt and later on Soren Kragh Andersen kept the pressure on in the competition. Van der Poel made the decisive attack later bridging together with van Aert and Pogacar to the leading group.
On the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont Pogacar was the one to attack. However he could not dislodge van der Poel. Van Aert looked in difficulty on a couple of occasions, but ultimately survived the offensives. The trio looked evenly matched uphill, so the difference could only be made in a sprint, and that's what took place.
“I didn't think the sprint was that long. It was maybe a little further than 200 meters and the wind was full at our backs, but the best was gone towards the end. I would rather be beaten today than next week," van der Poel said following the finale. This time around he was beaten by van Aert in the final sprint, and rolled through the finish line in second place.
“But I can live with it. I felt pretty good and wanted a long and tough final to get me ready for next week. I can't be disappointed today. I would have liked to win, but I can go home with a good feeling," he concluded.
