Mathieu Van der Poel won the 66th edition of the E3 Saxo Classic, a race held today with start and finish in Harelbeke of 207.6 km.

Ten men on the run since the morning, among them Lorenzo Milesi. In the first kilometres, due to a fall, Alberto Bettiol retires.

The great protagonist of the day is Van der Poel, author of numerous shots capable of making selection. The decisive action starts on the Paterberg, 45 km from the finish: having caught up with the escapees, the world champion makes a gap while Wout Van Aert falls. The Belgian starts again and sets off alone in pursuit of his historic rival with his opponents losing the wheel of the first two. Van Aert arrives 14 seconds behind Van der Poel but then the gap increases again: with 5 km to go the Visma rider, in crisis, is joined by Jasper Stuyven in a comeback.

At the finish line Van der Poel precedes Stuyven, 1'30", and Van Aert who doesn't even contest the sprint for second place.

Photo Sprint Cycling

Arrival order:

1 VAN DER POEL Mathieu Alpecin - Deceuninck 4:39:49

2 STUYVEN Jasper Lidl - Trek 1:31

3 VAN AERT Wout Team Visma | Lease a Bike 1:34

4 WELLENS Tim UAE Team Emirates 1:48

5 JORGENSON Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike 1:50

6 NARVÁEZ Jhonatan INEOS Grenadiers 1:52

7 POLITT Nils UAE Team Emirates 2:48

8 ALBANIAN Vincenzo Arkéa - B&B Hotels -

9 SKUJIŅŠ Toms Lidl - Trek -

10 KIRSCH Alex Lidl - Trek -