After the De Panne won by Jasper Philipsen, the E3 Saxo Classic is taking place in Belgium, a category 4 World Tour race with a challenging route.

The kilometers to be covered will be 207 with departure and arrival in Harelbeke. Instead, there are 17 walls to face with the Paterberg-Oude Kwaremont pairing making the difference. The last ascent will be the Tiegemberg twenty km from the finish: last year there was a historic podium with Wout Van Aert ahead of Mathieu Van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar.

This year, at the start, there are the first two, obviously big favorites on the eve. For the Belgian from Visma it is the first big test in view of the objectives of Flanders and Roubaix, the world champion seeks confirmation after a good Sanremo. Will it be a two-way fight? Someone could fit in: this is the case of the eternal placed Stefan Kung , of the always present in the positions that count, Matej Mohoric , of the powerful Mads Pedersen or of the young man on the launching pad, Arnaud De Lie .

Also watch out for Michael Matthews , who narrowly missed out on Sanremo, Tim Wellens, Julian Alaphilippe (who appeared in recovery), Alberto Bettiol, Jasper Stuyven, Ben Turner and Nils Politt. The scene, however, could be dominated once again by Visma who, in addition to Van Aert, fields a squad with Matteo Jorgenson, Tiesj Benoot and Dylan Van Baarle . Also keep an eye on Jan Tratnik, winner of the Omloop and luxury 'gregarious' of the team that dominated the 2023 season.

Photo Sprint Cycling