They came back flamenco trials with cobblestones on the occasion of the 66th edition of E3 Saxo Classic which will take place this Friday on departure and arrival Harelbeke with a route of 207.6 km, where a week before the great festival of Tour of Flanders two of the great monsters of the classics challenge each other, Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.
A stellar duel between World Champion, Van der Poelwho is preparing his third victory on the 31st in “De Ronde”, and double E3 winner Van Aert also recently the winner of the Kuurse-Brussels.
Both would be great references in an essay where Spain’s champion Oier Lazkano was therewith high ambitions.
Two great favorites for one route already It consists of 17 levels and 9 cobbled sectionsbut the range of candidates is wide, and some names may surprise, as Jasper Philipsen did on Saturday at Milan San Remo.
He Visma Lease a Bike will defend Van Aert’s double title with a powerful team which includes Tiesj Benoot, Paris Nice winner Matteo Jorgenson and Van Baarle. belts, Van der Poel’s Alpecin Deceuninck does not accumulate so many classic specialistsbut its quality can make a difference.
Attention in Soudal Quick Step with double World Champion Julian Alaphilippe trading higher, along with other candidates such as Kasper Asgreen and Yves Lampaert. He Bahrain has Slovenian Matej Mohoric to break the forecast, the EF Education with the Italian Alberto Bettiolwinner in Milan Turin and fifth in San Remo.
The list of candidates was completed on two men from the UAE, Tim Wellens and Marc Hirschiand if it comes to the sprint there will be Mads Pedersen (Lidl) and Michael Matthews (Jayco).
As Spanish references Movistar is excited about the benefits of Oir Lazkano, winner of the Jaén Classic and third in Kuurne. The Spanish champion aspires to be among the best, as is Carlos Rodríguez (Ineos).
Movistar will present Oier Lazkano, Carlos Canal, Remi Cavagna, Johan Jacobs, Mathias Norsgaard, Manlio Moro and Vinicius Rangel
17 levels and 9 cobbled sections
The breed disputed in West Flandersnear the French border, It will have 17 hills and 9 cobbled sections in its 207 kilometerswith Ellestraat being the main novelty, replacing Eikenberg.
Traditional climbs such as La Houpe, Kanarieberg, Oude Kruisberg, Kortekeer, Taienberg, Boigneberg, Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont remain.
Formerly known as E3 Harelbeke serving as a test bed for the Tour of Flanders on the 31stalthough there are some aspects that can be seen in the great flamenco event.
There will be a battle from start to finish, but the race usually begins to decide from Kortekeer (0.9 km at 6.6 percent), 86 km from the finish line, and especially at Taaienberg (0.6 km at 6.6 percent). , 8), 81 from the finish line, which includes a very difficult ramp.
From Taaienberg there are 10 levels left, four of which have pavé, incl the chained must be decisive: Paterberg (43 km away) and Oude Kwaremont (40 km away), here arranged in reverse order to the usual in Flanders.
E3 Saxo Classic – Harelbeke
Final winners
2023. – Wout Van Aert (BEL)
2022. – Wout Van Aert (BEL)
2021. – Kasper Asgreen (DIN)
2019. – Zdenek Stybar (RCH).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
