E3 Saxo Bank Classic - Preview

Belgian Wout Van Aert of Team JumboVisma and Dutch Mathieu van der Poel of AlpecinFenix pictured in action during the Ronde van Vlaanderen Tour des Flandres Tour of Flanders one day cycling race 241 km from Antwerp to Oudenaarde Sunday 18 October 2020 BELGA PHOTO POOL NICO VEREECKEN Photo by POOL NICO VEREECKENBELGA MAGAFP via Getty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Of the five Flemish classics that take place in quick succession at this time of spring, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic is second only to the Tour of Flanders in terms of selectivity and climbing. Consequently, it’s seen as a kind of final dress rehearsal for the biggest race of the spring. 

Whereas other races have sought to establish a clearly distinct identity from that most famous Flemish race, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic (formerly E3 Harelbeke) has embraced its status as a precursor to the Ronde

Stephen Puddicombe is a freelance writer based in Bristol. He has written for Cyclingnews since 2020, and has covered cycling professionally as a freelancer since 2013, writing for outlets such as Rouleur, Cycling Weekly and Cycle Sport, among other publications. He is the author of The World of the Tour de France, published by Sona Books. Outside of cycling he is a passionate cinephile, and a long-suffering Spurs fan.

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