As the cycling world turns its attention to the E3 Saxo Classic this Friday, an iconic race that acts as a crucial preparation for the Tour of Flanders, all eyes are on the clash between Belgium’s Wout van Aert and the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel. The E3, which features notorious climbs like the Taaienberg, Eikenberg, and the Oude Kwaremont, will serve as the first real showdown between these two giants of the cobbled classics season. Yet, former cycling champion Tom Boonen, a five-time winner of this race, has raised concerns about Van Aert’s approach to his preparation.
Boonen’s Perspective on E3 Preparation
For Boonen, the E3 Saxo Classic was always a key race in his spring calendar. The Belgian cycling legend, who dominated the event for years, explained that the race served as the final, vital push toward the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. “The E3 Saxo Classic was one of my favorite races to ride,” Boonen told Het Laatste Nieuws. “The course suited me very well, which is probably also why I won in Harelbeke five times. It’s the last test before the Tour of Flanders. The race is a bit shorter and more compact, but the final section offers little opportunity for recovery, making it perfect for me to give myself one last push toward the Tour and Roubaix.”
For Boonen, the timing of the E3 race, just a week before the Tour of Flanders, made it an essential test of form and fitness. “The date is perfect, after which there are eight days until the Tour: just enough time to do what you must,” he said. “The foreign riders will also travel to Harelbeke by then and stay until the Tour. It is the perfect time to get a first taste of the cobblestones and to fight for your position on the narrow roads.”
Van Aert’s Risky Preparation
This year, Van Aert’s preparation has raised some eyebrows. Having skipped several early races after returning from a high-altitude training camp in Tenerife, the Belgian powerhouse will make his competitive return at the E3 Saxo Classic. While Van Aert is no stranger to success in Harelbeke, having won the race twice in the past, Boonen has questioned whether his limited race preparation might work against him.
“I never went on an altitude training course in the spring, but I think Wout knows his own strengths and what the best solution for his career is at the moment,” Boonen remarked. “It’s a challenging and complex race; you have to fight hard, and you need to feel the energy. I would never have risked not competing in races before E3 because I would not have felt comfortable with that. I preferred to keep a close eye on the other competitors.”
Boonen’s perspective reflects the philosophy that constant race exposure and sharpening in competition are essential to building the form necessary for the cobbled classics. For him, not having raced before the E3 might leave Van Aert at a disadvantage, particularly in a race where aggression, positioning, and adaptability to the brutal conditions are key.
Van der Poel: A Steady Approach
In contrast, Van der Poel has adopted a different strategy, one that Boonen believes might have already placed him in a better position heading into the E3. After participating in early season races such as Le Samyn, Tirreno-Adriatico, and the Milan-San Remo, which he won, Van der Poel enters the cobbled classics with momentum. Boonen praised Van der Poel’s performance in Milan-San Remo, particularly his ability to respond to Tadej Pogacar’s attacks on the Poggio. “The way he responded to Pogacar on the Poggio, when everyone thought he would stay behind, was clever. He gained a psychological advantage over Tadej there,” Boonen said.
Given his impressive win in San Remo and his solid early season form, Boonen believes that Van der Poel is now the favorite for the upcoming classics. “At the moment, Van der Poel is my favorite for the E3 Saxo Classic, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix,” he concluded.
Van Aert’s Long-Term Plan
Despite Boonen’s doubts about Van Aert’s E3 preparation, his team, Visma | Lease a Bike, remains confident in his abilities. Sports director, Heijboer, shared that they are not overly concerned if Van Aert doesn’t clinch victory in Harelbeke. “We know that Pogacar and Van der Poel have already shown great things, but we are not going to sell ourselves short because of that. Wout is also in good shape. It’s just waiting and seeing how he will feel in that first race.”
Heijboer emphasized that the long-term focus remains on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, with the E3 serving as more of a stepping stone to those races. “He has no lack of ambition or confidence. But he is not the top favorite to win, and that much is clear. If it doesn’t quite come together on Friday, we won’t lose any sleep over it.”
Pogacar’s Absence
While the Belgian classics will be missing one of the biggest stars, Tadej Pogacar, who initially had plans to race the E3, the Slovenian has opted to focus his efforts on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Pogacar’s decision to skip both Gent-Wevelgem and the E3 Saxo Classic means that the battle for the cobbled classics will be contested primarily between Van Aert and Van der Poel. Despite this, Heijboer and the rest of the Visma team remain optimistic that Van Aert will be in contention as the season progresses.
The Road Ahead
The E3 Saxo Classic is set to be a thrilling contest, with the stage set for a potential battle between Van Aert, Van der Poel, and others. For Boonen, the race remains a pivotal test for all riders looking to peak for the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. As the first true test of the spring classics season, the E3 will offer a glimpse into the form of the sport’s biggest stars and could be the first indication of who will emerge as the leader in this year’s cobbled classic season.
Leave a Reply