"One of my favourite races" - Wout van Aert eyeing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick in 2025

Tomorrow in Belgium, Wout van Aert is set to return to racing at the 2025 E3 Saxo Classic. A two-time former winner of the Classic, can the 30-year-old make it a hat-trick this year?

After riding early season races such as Clasica Jean, Volta ao Algarve, plus Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne on opening weekend, Van Aert has spent the last few weeks at altitude, building up his level for what is likely to be a crucial period in his season. “We had a good and nice training camp in Tenerife, but of course, as a cyclist, what you want most of all is racing. I'm really looking forward to pinning on a race number once again,” says Van Aert in comments to Team Visma | Lease a Bike's official website. “The E3 Saxo Classic is one of my favourite races and I am proud that I have already won it twice.”

“That's always a bit of a wait and see in such a first race after an altitude camp. You saw that last year in the E3 Saxo Classic as well," continues the Belgian, referencing his 3rd placed finish twelve months ago. "But we have a strong team, including Matteo Jorgenson who showed great things in Paris-Nice.”

More than just Van Aert, the return to the E3 Saxo Classic is also an incredibly exciting time of the season for Team Visma | Lease a Bike's sports director, Grischa Niermann. “The E3 Saxo Classic is a beautiful race over a large part of the Tour of Flanders course," previews Niermann. "Often the race is seen as a kind of dress rehearsal. For us it will be interesting to see how Wout and Tiesj Benoot feel after their altitude camp.”

“We are not the favourites, but we have to make use of the multiple options we have in our team," Niermann concludes. "We will do everything we can to be in the final with as many riders as possible.”

Wout van Aert
Matteo Jorgenson
Tiesj Benoot
Tosh van der Sande
Edoardo Affini
Dylan van Baarle
Per Strand Hagenes