24/03/2023

Wout van Aert wins E3 Saxo Classic after epic battle with Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar

All fireworks went down at the E3 Saxo Classic, as Wout van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar exploded the race very early on. And by that order they crossed the line after a tight sprint as Jumbo-Visma succeeeded.

The Belgian classic saw moves from early on but it was a difficult day to infiltrate the breakaway. Kelland O'Brien (Team Jayco AlUla), Thomas Bonnet (TotalEnergies), Mathias Norsgaard (Movistar Team), Mathis Le Berre (Arkéa Samsic) and Martin Urianstad (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) formed the break of the day.

Video: Mathieu van der Poel's explosive attack on the Taaienberg

It was a group that didn't stand much chances, and was caught early on in the Taaienberg. The wind didn't play a role early on, but with 85 kilometers an attack by Dries de Bondt started the race in the peloton, and in the steep ascent Mathieu van der Poel launched an attack, only followed by van Aert. The duo caught the escapees and then were caught themselves.

Matteo Jorgenson attacked after but was caught himself. Then followed a move by Soren Kragh Andersen, Nathan van Hooydonck and Matej Mohoric which built a decent gap and was dangerous. With 57 kilometers to go van der Poel attacked once again, with van Aert and Pogacar responding, with the trio joining the front trio. The group then collaborated well together into the Paterberg, extending the gap to the chasing group to around a minute.

In the Paterberg Pogacar attack, followed by van der Poel and van Aert. The six-rider group was united once again after, but in the Oude Kwaremont another string of accelerations saw the pre-race favourite trio ride up the road. In the meantime the chasing trio was caught by the chasing group - from which Mohoric, Cortina, Jorgenson and Küng made a move later on.

As for the front trio they continued to collaborate well into the finish in order to battle for the win. Pogacar launched an attack with just over 3 kilometers, disorganizing the group's collaboration. However behind no-one had the legs to catch up. Pogacar launched his sprint first and the battle for the victory was behind.

Wout van Aert had the best legs of the day and sprinted to victory in what was a very motivating triumph. He outsprinted Mathieu van der Poel in impressive fashion whilst Pogacar closed the podium. Matteo Jorgenson and Ivan Cortina finished fourth and fifth for Movistar.