Profile & Route E3 Saxo Classic 2026

On the 27th of March the peloton takes on the E3 Saxo Classic, nicknamed often as the 'mini Tour of Flanders'. With the peloton taking on the famous Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont, the races comes as the most similar event to the first cobbled monument and is a key part of most riders' spring campaign. We take a look at its profile; with its start and finish estimated at 12:50 and 17:10CET.

The race's first edition was back in 1958, won by Armand Desmet. Belgian legend Rik van Looy won it four times between 1964 and 1968 and right after Roger de Vlaeminck also left his mark in the race's history. E3 doesn't pack the palmarès of the Tour of Flanders, but isn't far behind, being so competitive that despite several attempts, Eddy Merckx has never managed to win it.

Some sprinters have also managed to leave their mark here, including Mario Cippolini in 1993 and of course Peter Sagan more recently. But the Flandrien legends were all present and winning throughout the generations: Johan Museeuw, Peter van Petegem, Tom Boonen (four consecutive wins from 2004 to 2007)... Fabian Cancellara won it three times; and the likes of Geraint Thomas, Michal Kwiatkowski, Greg van Avermaet, Niki Terpstra, Zdenek Stybar, Kasper Asgreen have also marked their names in the race.

In 2022 and 2023 Wout Van Aert won it, in the latter taking perhaps his best win over Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar directly. However in the last two years van der Poel took uncontested wins - in 2025 he won with a long-range solo attack, beating Mads Pedersen.

This is the 'mini Tour of Flanders', however in all reality it is not far away from the Belgian monument. 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.

With 209 kilometers on the menu it’s still a fairly long race. When the race hits 100 kilometers to go it will see an increase in activity as the peloton enter the bergs. The route was changed, and fitting in with the modern trend, the race has been made more difficult, as a second ascent of the Oude Kwaremont has been added to the route. Like Flanders, this will be the first key point of the race, and will come with 85 kilometers to go.

From there on the small climbs - and cobbled sectors in some - come thick and fast. Hotondberg, Kortekeer, Taaienberg (70Km to go) mark the continuation of the first key period of the race; followed by the Boigneberg and the Eikenberg. The final of these is a 1.2-kilometer long cobbled sector at 5%, which ends with 59Km to go. What follows are a few kilometers of flat roads.

But then, the key point in the race. The order is the opposite of Flanders here, as the Paterberg/Oude Kwaremont combo sees the short ascent first, and it comes with 42 kilometers to go, still quite far away from the finish but with it’s toughness it will inevitably cause damage in the peloton.

With 37 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 30 and 19 kilometers to go there are some small bergs, and a cobbled sector as well with 22Km 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.

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 by this point. Those racing for victory and starting the flat section in the lead have the advantage.