Mathieu van der Poel channels form into cobbled classics and leads Alpecin at E3 Saxo Classic

Alpecin-Deceuninck are on an absolute high. Whilst Jasper Philipsen won two stages at Tirreno-Adriatico and the Classic Bruge-De Panne, Mathieu van der Poel conquered Milano-Sanremo. In the space of two weeks the team has turned it's spring around, and they seek further success at the E3 Saxo Classic.

A race that is critical in the preparation for the Tour des Flandres, van der Poel will look to be at his best in order to fight for the win. His astonishing solo win at Sanremo seemed to be the proof that he's returned to his best form, and he will face the same competitors he met at the Poggio last week, alongside many others. He can be considered the sole leader for Alpecin however.

Soren Kragh Andersen, who was sixth at Sanremo comes as an outsider. But facing Jumbo-Visma he will most likely be handed the task of counter-attacking moves and making sure the team is not on the back foot before the main men make their moves. Quinten Hermans and Dries de Bondt also make for a strong supportive third line, although the cyclocross expert is not yet on his best form.

The team, racing it's first spring at World Tour level, is complete by former Paris-Roubaix runner-up Silvan Dillier and two strong puncheurs in Robert Stannard and Tobias Bayer who should enjoy the uphill terrain.

Alpecin - Deceuninck for E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel, Quinten Hermans, Soren Kragh Andersen, Tobias Bayer, Dries de Bondt, Silvan Dillier and Robert Stannard.