This race, formerly known as “Harelbeke-Anvers-Harelbeke” is celebrated this Friday, March 22, and we will be able to watch a legendary duel between two cycling greats. The race will be broadcast on Eurosport Player (Spain), Discovery+ and on Signal Colombia (Colombia)

Top Participants

Main Equipment
Clemence LN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Wout van aert

Wout Van Aert has proven to be a formidable competitor at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, standing out in recent editions of this flamenco classic. In 2022, Van Aert achieved an impressive victory, leading an impressive one-two for his team, Jumbo-Visma. Continuing his success, Van Aert successfully defended his title in the 2023 edition, by beating their rivals in an exciting final.

Van der Poel

Mathieu van der Poel has had notable performances at the E3 Saxo Bank Classic in recent years, standing out as one of the most competitive riders in this Flemish classic. In the 2021 edition, Van der Poel finished in third place, behind Kasper Asgreen and Florian Sénéchal. Continuing his consistent performance, at the 2023 edition of the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, Van der Poel once again found himself among the top contenders, finishing in second place just behind Wout van Aert, with Tadej Pogačar completing the podium.​

Clemence LN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Given the track record of Wout Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, both with strong classics performances and the ability to overcome technical and challenging terrain, the prediction is a fiercely close competition. Van Aert, with his sprinting ability and endurance, could have an advantage in a sprint finish. Van der Poel, known for his bold attacks and skill on cobbled sections, could try a breakaway in the final third. The race probably It will be decided in the last kilometers, possibly in a direct duel between these two titans.

Ruta

Psemdel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hill route | Maxxl2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The journey of E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2024 It is shaping up to be an epic adventure through the hills and cobblestone sectors that have established this race as one of the most emblematic spring classics. This year, the race covers approximately 207.6 kilometers, with a challenge that includes seventeen hills and five cobbled sectors, ensuring an intense and exciting competition.

 

The race begins with a gentle but deceptive introduction, characterized by three cobblestone sectors in the first 50 kilometers. However, it is after this introduction where the tour begins to show its true colors. With the first hill, the Katteberg, appearing at 50 kilometers, followed by a relatively quiet stretch that only features two more hills: La Houppe and Kanarieberg​​.

 

The real test begins after the first 100 kilometers, when cyclists face nine hills in rapid succession within a 50 kilometer stretch, highlighting notable climbs such as the Oude Kruisberg, Knokteberg, and the dreaded Oude Kwaremont. It is in these sections where the course begins to divide the peloton, testing the endurance, technical ability, and strategy of the competitors.

Oude Kwaremont Hill | youkeys, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

El Oude-Kwaremont is an iconic cobblestone road in Kluisbergen, known for its presence in professional races such as the Tour of Flanders. It is not a hill itself, but one of the routes that ascends Mount Kluisberg. With a length of 2.2 km and a gradient of 93 m, have a average gradient of 4.2% and reaches a maximum of 11%. Although he was introduced to the Tour of Flanders in 1974, he has gained notoriety by being promoted three times in the race, playing a crucial role in the selection of competitors.

Maxxl2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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