PREVIEW | E3 Saxo Classic 2025 - Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert's ultimate face-off before Flanders

On the 28th March the riders will take on the single best warm-up race ahead of the Tour of Flanders. The E3 Saxo Classic has gained a reputation of it's own as one of the toughest one-day races in the World Tour calendar, and this year it will once again be the only race where Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert will meet ahead of Flanders. We preview the race ahead.

This race is what I consider the main warm up for the Tour des Flanders. It features an hour less of racing in comparison to the second monument of the season, however the profile is very similar and the race is to be decided on a very similar set of climbs.

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Profile & Route E3 Saxo Classic 2025

Harelbeke - Harelbeke, 209 kilometers

With 209 kilometers on the menu it’s still a fairly long race. When the race hits 120 kilometers to go it will see an increase in activity as the peloton enter the bergs, and with 81 kilometers to go it will go through the Taaienberg which may be the first big point of selection in the peloton.

Afterwards, a series of paved climbs and the Stationsberg which comes with 58Km to go, these can be points of attack for those looking to anticipate the big climbs which will follow.

The order is the opposite of Flanders here, as the Paterberg/Oude Kwaremont combo sees the short ascent first, and it comes with 43.5 kilometers to go, still quite far away from the finish but with it’s toughness it will inevitably cause damage in the peloton.  

Paterberg: 400 meters; 13.5%; 43.5Km to go

With 38 kilometers to go comes the Oude Kwaremont. In very quick succession, these two ascents will be the platform for the main attacks from the race favourites who want to make their moves on the bergs.  With 31.5 and 20.5 kilometers to go there are some small bergs, and a cobbled sector as well with 23Km to go. These won’t be as hard, however after a hard race they can be used to create further damage, however it is more expected that groups will try to consolidate their gaps.

Oude Kwaremont: 2.5Km; 3.7%; 38Km to go

The final 20 kilometers will be essentially pan-flat, and it is possible to organize a chase with the goal of catching smaller groups or an eventual solo rider that may be in front. This flat section will force a lot of tactical decisions, and should be crucial for the outcome.

They are roads where you can put on a chase, but simultaneously big splits are frequent in E3. Those racing for victory and starting the flat section in the lead have the advantage.

E3 Saxo Classic Finale

The Weather

Map E3 Saxo Classic 2025

The weather will not be ideal, and that will make the race tougher. Whilst throughout most of the week the sun shines, this Friday it does not and the rain may fall too... It's not too likely, but the roads may get somewhat wet, and there will be a noticeable wind coming from the southwest. This does mean there will mostly be a headwind on the Oude Kwaremont, and a crosswind throughout much of the run-up to the line back to Harelbeke.

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The Favourites

Mathieu van der Poel - The form van der Poel showed in Sanremo was perfect and dare I say, he didn't need to and maybe shouldn't even race E3. Whatever happens here will directly play a role into who will have the responsibility in Flanders. Van der Poel wants to take results, have the racing rhythm, but I believe his level is already perfect and he should focus on keeping it above all. Here he will be the strongest on the climbs, but conditions won't be ideal for him to drop his rivals... In the small chance he doesn't, teams such as Visma, INEOS, Lidl or UAE may outnumber him as he is also missing key support men on this race. By all means however, a win will never be a surprise.

Wout van Aert - Van Aert has just come from altitude. There will be pressure, but the reality is the result in this race will not really matter much. But if he struggles a lot against van der Poel it may be a hit ahead of Flanders. Van Aert has often sacrificed himself for teammates, but here he has got to put in all of his cards. Visma have to take advantage of their numbers and attack hard with the likes of Matteo Jorgenson and Tiesj Benoot from early on, and avoid what's happened in the Opening Weekend.

Mads Pedersen - At Paris-Nice this man was unstoppable and the truth is the conditions will be bad, which is good form him. No thunderstorms or anything, but Pedersen (who did not seem to have it in Sanremo) could again show that level here in Harelbeke and if he does he will be a headache for everyone. The Dane could well take the win, as he is a vicious attacker but also a brilliant sprinter under any conditions. With Mathias Vacek, Jasper Stuyven and Toms Skujins present, Lidl-Trek also have a lot of leverage for early attacks.

Filippo Ganna - The Italian won't race Flanders, but he will race Flanders' warm-up race... It will be an insight into what he could do, and if I was to bet I'd say he'll do very good. The climbs will be steeper and more explosive than what he wishes for, but in his current form he will fly up them. This is a man who, if he finds himself alone at the head of the race at any point, may be impossible to bring back. Behind him is another rider whom he could say the same of, which is Joshua Tarling.

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UAE - UAE do not have, as initially predicted, Tadej Pogacar at the start. Victory seems unlikely with this new scenario and the in-form rivals, but the team absolutely have the cards to play a big role in the race. Tim Wellens seems back to his very best level and will be a big proponent in this race without a doubt; and with Florian Vermeersch, Nils Politt and António Morgado to cover or launch their own attacks, the team has many cards to play.

BORA - BORA is in a similar situation to UAE, but slightly at a lower level. Still it is a team that needs a big mention because they have got both Mick and Tim van Dijke at the start, together with Oier Lazkano and Laurence Pithie who can be interesting outsiders on the climbs.

On the list of outsiders directly within this league we must mention of course someone like Michael Matthews straight out of a Top5 at Milano-Sanremo and with good form currently; Tudor who seemed to have Matteo Trentin racing strongly in Italy and with good legs coming into the cobbles; Groupama who has both Stefan Küng and Valentin Madouas at the start (although both may like more the long distances of the Tour of Flanders) and of course Uno-X who have got Jonas Abrahamsen and Rasmus Tiller. 

Noteworthy, but unlikely to be in the direct action for the top places are riders such as Matej Mohoric, Fred Wright, Oliver Naesen, Joe Blackmore and Alec Segaert for a tough race; and fast finishers such as Biniam Girmay, Luca Mozzato and Madis Mihkels.

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Prediction E3 Saxo Classic 2025:

*** Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen
** Matteo Jorgenson, Filippo Ganna, Tim Wellens
* Tiesj Benoot, Mathias Vacek, Joshua Tarling, Florian Vermeersch, António Morgado, Nils Politt, Oier Lazkano, Laurence Pithie, Michael Matthews, Neilson Powless, Stefan Küng, Matteo Trentin, Matej Mohoric

Pick: Mathieu van der Poel

How: Sprint win against Wout van Aert directly after the two move up on the Paterberg.

Original: Rúben Silva

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