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 take a look at it's profile.
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.
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
Map E3 Saxo Classic 2025
HELDEN!!!
— E3 Saxo Classic (@E3SaxoClassic) December 5, 2024
We hebben heel veel HELDEN op E3 Saxo Classic
Onze vrijwilligers, de kern en de basis van onze wielerwedstrijd.#E3SaxoClassic#dagvandevrijwilliger pic.twitter.com/2qnJY5XfkQ
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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