“I made it, but it cost blood, sweat and tears” - Relieved Mathieu van der Poel seals one of the most dramatic wins of his career at E3 Saxo Classic 2026

Mathieu van der Poel’s third consecutive victory at the E3 Saxo Classic was supposed to be another demonstration of long-range dominance. Instead, it became a survival effort that pushed him to his absolute limit.

After attacking on the Paterberg and riding clear for more than 40 kilometres, the Dutchman saw what looked like a decisive move unravel in the closing kilometres, as a four-man chase rapidly closed in behind him. By the time the race reached its final stretch, the gap had shrunk to single digits, and the outcome was no longer certain. “In the end, I made it, but it cost blood, sweat and tears,” Van der Poel said after the finish, having held on by seconds in Harelbeke.

For much of the finale, Van der Poel appeared in control. But as the kilometres ticked down, that control began to slip. “At one point, I didn’t have a good feeling about it anymore. I just kept riding at my watts. With about a kilometre to go, I thought they were going to come back.”

The chasing group, driven largely by Florian Vermeersch, reduced the gap metre by metre, bringing Van der Poel fully into sight. What had been a showcase of strength turned into a test of endurance, with the Dutchman forced to dig deeper than expected. “I knew I couldn’t sprint anymore, so I just stayed seated and rode as hard as I could to the finish.”

The decisive moment of the race had come much earlier, when Van der Poel attacked on the Paterberg to distance his rivals and commit to a solo effort. That move initially looked like it would settle the race, especially as the peloton hesitated and failed to organise a coherent chase.

But the late formation of a four-man group behind him changed everything.

As cooperation improved and the gap dropped rapidly, the dynamic shifted from control to crisis. With just a few kilometres remaining, the possibility of being caught became very real. “There really was a moment when I thought I would finish fifth. I know how hard it is to ride alone here.”

That fear reflected the reality of the situation. After more than 40 kilometres out front, the effort began to take its toll just as the chasers found momentum.

In the end, the race was decided not just by strength, but by hesitation behind. As the four chasers closed to within touching distance, their cooperation faltered at the critical moment. That brief pause allowed Van der Poel to hold onto a narrow advantage and reach the line just ahead. After more than 40 kilometres out front, he did just enough.