The main cobbled classics block is here. The E3 Saxo Classic marks a very important step in the spring classics, and here the riders who hope to contest the Tour des Flandres will already have to be at or close to their very best level. Tadej Pogacar is no exception.
"It's the first time I'm going to participate in E3. So it's a new experience and a new challenge, and I'm delighted," the Slovenian said in a recent interview. "The atmosphere in Belgium during these weeks is something special and the people's passion for cycling is really beautiful. I have excellent memories of this period last season and I really want to race here again."
Last season the UAE Team Emirates had a try in the cobbles and found he's a natural. His climbing capacity, endurance and aggressive racing made him an extremely dangerous rider who was in the fight for the win in Flandres. He rode to fourth on the road as his collaboration with Mathieu van der Poel - who lack of - saw rivals come back in the final meters.
With Dwars door Vlaanderen out of his schedule, Pogacar's sole preparation race will be the E3 Saxo Classic. However, it simultaneously should be the most important, with many bergs on the menu including the Paterberg/Oude Kwaremont combo, as well as all the competition including Milano-Sanremo winner Mathieu van der Poel and an incredibly strong Jumbo-Visma with Wout van Aert in the helm.
Pogačar resumes his season at the Flanders Classics with #E3SaxoBankClassic 🇧🇪. Here's how we'll line up in Harelbeke: 🇳🇱 @sjoerdbax 🇩🇰 @mikkelbbjerg 🇿🇦 @RyanGibbons23 🇵🇹 @roliveira57 🇸🇮 @TamauPogi 🇮🇹 @MATTEOTRENTIN 🇧🇪 @Tim_Wellens #UAETeamEmirates #WeAreUAE
