Published March 26, 2026 05:32AM
Mathieu van der Poel lines up Friday at E3 Saxo Classic as the undisputed favorite on a redesigned, harder-than-ever course without Tadej Pogačar at the start line.
This “mini-Flanders” is the first major cobbled race that counts in the spring campaign and the last big hit-out before the Ronde van Vlaanderen on April 5.
This is cycling’s March Madness, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the peloton’s cobble-eaters.
Pogačar’s absence comes days after his Milan-San Remo masterclass, and his trademark long-range attacks will be missing in this telling teaser to cycling’s Holy Week.
Friday also offers an interesting control sample inside the men’s peloton.
Is the racing more interesting without Pogačar, or does his disruptor style make any race better?
Van der Poel won’t mind if Pogačar or eternal rival Wout van Aert aren’t there, because he always races to win, no matter who shows up.
Others lining up know this could be their best chance to win or at least hit the podium, perhaps all spring.
A harder E3 for 2026
E3 Saxo Classic organizers have turned up the dial with a brutal course makeover that will push men’s field to the limit.
It’s not quite monument-level suffering in the 68th edition, but it’s close.
The new 2026 route stretches to 208.5km and pushes above 3,000 meters of climbing to make the already demanding E3 even more explosive.
There’s nothing “mini” about this Flanders cousin.
A double passage of the Oude Kwaremont headlines the overhaul.
The first comes early at 121km, with the steep, paved Keuzelingstraat added as an early punch, a new addition making its E3 debut.
The second passage arrives in the final 40km, paired up again with the Paterberg to break the race for good.
The Karnemelkbeekstraat, the so-called E3 Col, also returns twice for additional selection. The Muur is gone.
Taaienberg, Boigneberg, Kapelberg, Paterberg, and Tiegemberg are all packed into the final 70 kilometers, an endless string of climbs for riders looking to crack the bunch.
The Tiegemberg, the 16th and final climb, tops out with 19km to go before the run-in to the finish at the Forestier Stadium in Harelbeke.
The changes make the finale “just a little more tougher,” as the E3 Saxo Classic organizers put it.
No Pogačar or Van Aert
With marquee names like Van Aert or Pogačar sitting this one out, the race could become a one-man MVDP show.
Without Pog, there won’t be thermonuclear solo attacks from 80km out. And without Van Aert, there won’t be a diesel motor to grind it back.
Their absences will change the race dynamics, but perhaps not the outcome.
All eyes will be on Van der Poel, the two-time defending champion, looking to win this third crown. Tom Boonen still owns the outright record with five wins.
After a crash at San Remo took him out of the hunt, the Alpecin-Premier Tech star will be wanting to wreak his revenge.
This new-look course delivers the perfect setting for him to blow things up on climbs like the Taaienberg or the Kwaremont.
Van der Poel will also want to win to reconfirm the five-star duel with Pogačar looming at Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Others in with a shot?
But if Van der Poel cannot smash this harder, meaner E3 without Pogačar or Van Aert, then who is going to stop Pogačar a week later at Flanders?
If MVDP falters on Friday, rivals might see a ray of hope.
Riders like Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step), Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), or Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM) could be in with a chance.
A strong showing from anyone else could hint at bigger things to come this spring.
Pogačar changes any race, whether he’s there or not.
The Slovenian superstar’s only raced here once, with third in 2023 when he was making his first big push into the cobblestoned classics.
Since then, he and Van der Poel have dominated the major one-day classics and monuments in what’s emerged as a modern-day rivalry for the ages.
So what’s more exciting? With or without Pogačar?
We’ll get part of that answer on Friday.
A large group hasn’t contested the win in the past 14 years, so expect fireworks early and often.
The race starts and finishes in Harelbeke, with the flag dropping at 12:45 p.m. and the expected finish around 17:30 (CET).