The E3 Saxo Classic officially opens the Northern Hell League which also includes Gand-Wevelgem, Dwars, Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Line up your team with 250 fantamillions available, with wonderful gifts up for grabs. You can find the League, also for women, dedicated to the Northern races, on the Fantacycling app.

The mystery of Pogacar, who will skip the race to dedicate himself to Flanders and Roubaix, has been solved. There is no shortage of big names for a 208.8 km race, including 13 on cobblestones and 17 walls for a total difference in altitude of 2800 metres.

The passage over Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont will be decisive, even if the last wall, the Tiegemberg, will be more than 15 km from the finish.

Obviously the number one favourite is Mathieu Van der Poel, winner of the Sanremo, who already won the E3 just last year.

Trying to challenge the Alpecin champion will be Lidl Trek, with Mads Pedersen, and Visma Lease a Bike, with the return of Wout Van Aert and the interesting presence of Matteo Jorgenson, first at Paris-Nice.

Without Pogacar, Uae Emirates has the cards Tim Wellens and Antonio Morgado to play. We have not forgotten Filippo Ganna, in great shape at the beginning of this season. His condition, however, will have to get along with the short but difficult Belgian walls.

Other interesting names could be Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay, and Stefan Kung. Much will also depend on the weather conditions. It is certainly a fundamental test in view of Flanders.