E3 Saxo Classic 2025
Latest News from the Race
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Visma-Lease a Bike can bounce back at the Classics, but will Matteo Jorgenson or Wout van Aert be the saviour?
'It's about staying calm and confident' says Head of Racing Grischa Niermann -
How to watch Gent-Wevelgem 2025 – Live streams, TV channels
All the broadcast information for one of the biggest cobbled Classics on March 30 -
Rider behaviour, unsafe routes, or higher competition – why are the Classics so dangerous right now?
Riders weigh in on the recent crashes and incidents, and what can be done to improve safety
E3 Saxo Classic 2025 overview
Date | March 28, 2025 |
Length | 208.6 kilometres |
Start location | Harelbeke |
Finish location | Harelbeke |
Start time | 12:45 CET |
Finish time | 17:30 CET |
Category | Men's WorldTour |
Previous winner | Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) |
Mathieu van der Poel decimates peloton across Flemish cobbles for repeat victory at E3 Saxo Classic / How it unfolded
For a second year in a row, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) grabbed the spotlight at E3 Saxo Classic and rode to a solo victory into Harelbeke. The Dutchman struck out over the Oude Kwaremont, 40km from the finish, and accelerated away from four riders who had been at the front with him. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) finished 1:07 back for second and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) splashed in the rain 2:05 back for third. It was a rough start for Van der Poel, as he and other favourites were caught behind a crash in the opening 10km that caused a ripple of splits among the peloton.
E3 Saxo Classic History
The E3 Saxo Classic - formerly known as the E3 Harelbeke, is a one-day cobbled Classic that had its first edition in 1958. The race was cancelled once in 2020 due to the coronavirus global pandemic and will have its 67th edition in 2025.
It is a lead-up race to the Tour of Flanders, falling mid-week between Gent-Wevelgem and Brugge-De Panne. Since 2012 the race has been part of the UCI WorldTour.
Tom Boonen holds the record for most wins with five between 2004 and 2012, breaking the previous mark held by Rik Van Looy who won four times between 1964 and 1969.
The E3 Saxo Classic is considered a 'mini Tour of Flanders' as it uses many of the same climbs and cobbles and is a major test for the contenders before the Tour of Flanders.
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the first head to head battle of 2024 with Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike), attacking on the Paterberg with 43km to go and then holding off Van Aert in a pursuit match to the finish.
In 2023, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) got away with Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel to win the race.
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E3 Saxo Classic route
The 2025 E3 Saxo Classic includes 17 'bergs' and several sections of cobblestone roads across the 208.6 kilometre route from Harelbeke and back.
See the full E3 Saxo Classic route.
E3 Saxo Classic start list
Data powered by FirstCycling
E3 Saxo Classic teams
- Alpecin-Deceuninck
- Arkea-B&B Hotels
- Bahrain Victorious
- Cofidis
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
- EF Education - EasyPost
- Groupama-FDJ
- INEOS Grenadiers
- Intermarché - Wanty
- Lidl-Trek
- Movistar Team
- Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
- Soudal Quick-Step
- Team Jayco AlUla
- Team Picnic PostNL
- Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team Emirates
- XDS Astana Team
- Lotto
- Uno-X Mobility
- Israel-PremierTech
- Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- Teal Flanders-Baloise
- Totalenergies
- Tudor Pro Cycling Team
Races
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E3 Saxo Classic 202528 March 2025 | Harelbeke | WorldTour
Latest Content on the Race

How to watch Gent-Wevelgem 2025 – Live streams, TV channels
By Patrick Fletcher last updated
News The Spring Classics continue with a historic race defined by the Kemmelberg – here are the details on how to watch Gent-Wevelgem online, on TV and from anywhere

Visma-Lease a Bike can bounce back at the Classics, but will Matteo Jorgenson or Wout van Aert be the saviour?
By James Moultrie published
Analysis 'It's about staying calm and confident' says Head of Racing Grischa Niermann

'We absolutely do not tolerate this kind of act' - Police open investigation after spectator spits at Mathieu van der Poel
By Peter Stuart last updated
News Police take action after footage emerges of a spectator spitting at Van der Poel during his winning solo attack at E3 Saxo Classic on Friday

Rider behaviour, unsafe routes, or higher competition – why are the Classics so dangerous right now?
By Matilda Price published
Riders weigh in on the recent crashes and incidents, and what can be done to improve safety

'Nothing to regret or feel bad about' – Groupama-FDJ defend tactics at E3 Saxo Classic after criticism from Van der Poel
By James Moultrie published
News 'We had five guys in front, so we started to pull after a while to keep an advantage' says team leader Stefan Küng

'Beaten by a monster' – Mads Pedersen satisfied in defeat behind Van der Poel with Lidl-Trek confident 'he will only get better'
By James Moultrie published
News 'Man against man, it's really difficult at this moment to beat him' admits DS Rast as Dane takes career-best second place at E3 Saxo Classic

'I would like sometimes to win' – Filippo Ganna edges closer at E3 Saxo Classic after dialled Ineos Grenadiers performance
By Matilda Price published
News Door open for Tour of Flanders participation for Italian after another strong Classics ride

Mathieu van der Poel angered and calls out teams for unsportsmanlike tactics at E3 Saxo Classic despite solo domination
By James Moultrie published
News Dutchman says teams pacing full gas after half the peloton was caught behind early crash 'shows a real problem in cycling'
Top News on the Race
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'I would like sometimes to win' – Filippo Ganna edges closer at E3 Saxo Classic after dialled Ineos Grenadiers performance
Door open for Tour of Flanders participation for Italian after another strong Classics ride -
Mathieu van der Poel angered and calls out teams for unsportsmanlike tactics at E3 Saxo Classic despite solo domination
Dutchman says teams pacing full gas after half the peloton was caught behind early crash 'shows a real problem in cycling' -
Early crash and Taaienberg 'mistake' cost both Matteo Jorgenson and Wout van Aert at E3 Saxo Classic
'It just wasn't a good race' – Visma-Lease a Bike's ambitions totally undone by early crash that troubled both their leaders in different ways
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Early-race crash send four to hospital with concussions and fractures at E3 Saxo Classic
'A process for his treatment and recovery will be decided in the coming hours and days' says Soudal-QuickStep about Dries Van Gestel's fractures to elbow and wrist -
No Kasper Asgreen but same ambitions for EF Education-EasyPost at the Classics
'We're down one really strong rider, but the goals stay the same' says Neilson Powless -
How to watch E3 Saxo Classic 2025 – Streaming and TV information for Tour of Flanders test
All the broadcast information for one of the biggest cobbled Classics on March 28
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'A tried and tested recipe' – Wout Van Aert hopes altitude training can give him the edge on return to racing at E3 Saxo Classic
Visma-Lease a Bike leader clashes with va der Poel and Ganna on Friday -
E3 Saxo Classic extends title sponsorship deal through 2027
Cobbled race is one of few top-level spring Classics still independently run -
'Why not?' – Oier Lazkano not afraid to take on the best at the cobbled Classics
Basque produces thrilling day on the attack at E3 Saxo Classic with more to come at Flanders and Roubaix
Related Features
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Riders weigh in on the recent crashes and incidents, and what can be done to improve safety -
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