Can Wout van Aert make it a hattrick at the 2024 E3 Saxo Bank Classic?

Can Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) has won the past two editions of the E3 Saxo Bank Classic, can he make it three? He and Visma-Lease a Bike certainly have their work cut out with rivals like Van der Poel on the start list.

The E3 Saxo Bank Classic, is generally regarded as the prelude to the Tour of Flanders. This year, the organizers of the race in Harelbeke can again count on a top-notch field of participants

The E3 Saxo Bank Classic will take place on 22nd March 2024. Formerly known as E3 Harelbeke, it is regarded as ‘the little Tour of Flanders’ due to its cobbles and sharing climbs with the Ronde van Vlaanderen route, such as the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont.

Last season, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic turned into a fantastic battle between Van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar. On the Oude Kwaremont, the Belgian seemed to struggle against his two rivals but ultimately finished it off beautifully in a three-way sprint.

Pogacar, Ganna, Van Hooydonick and Vanmarcke aren't riding this year, but the list riders below including Van de Poel, is certainly going to animate the race!

2024 E3 Saxo Bank Classic Course

It spans 207.6 kilometers, about 63 kilometers shorter than the Tour of Flanders, but the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont are typically where the decisive selections are made, just as in the Tour.

The E3 Saxo Bank Classic covers 17 bergs and plenty of cobblestones over 207.6km. It heads over climbs that the Tour of Flanders peloton will encounter too, such as the Oude Kruisberg and Taaienberg.

But while those at Flanders will scale the Oude Kwaremont then the Paterberg, the E3 Saxo Bank Classic reverses this; riders will reach the Paterberg before the Oude Kwaremont in the final 45km. The last climb of the Tiegemberg comes in with 20km remaining.

2024 E3 Saxo Bank Classic Favorites

1  VAN AERT Wout yes
2  VAN DER POEL Mathieu yes
4  JORGENSON Matteo yes
6  KÜNG Stefan yes
7  MOHORIC Matej yes
8  MADOUAS Valentin yes
9  KRAGH ANDERSEN Søren yes
12  NEILANDS Krists yes
13  POLITT Nils yes
14  PEDERSEN Mads yes
15  BETTIOL Alberto yes
16  LAMPAERT Yves yes
19  MOZZATO Luca yes
20  BISSEGGER Stefan yes

2024 E3 Saxo Bank Classic Climbs

30.0 km: Katteberg (750 m at 6%)
88.7 km: La Houppe (1900 m at 4.8%)
94.9 km: Kanarieberg (1000 m at 7.7%)
102.8 km: Oude Kruisberg (800 m at 4.8%)
110.5 km: Knokteberg (1300 m at 7%)
114.5 km: Hotondberg (1200 m at 4%)
121.6 km: Kortekeer (1000 m at 6.4%)
126.3 km: Taaienberg (700 m at 6.3%)
134.4 km: Berg Ten Stene (1300 m at 5.2%)
138.5 km: Boigneberg (1000 m at 5.2%)
141.3 km: Ellestraat (1250 m at 6.2%)
148.7km: Stationberg (700 m at 3.2%)
159.6 km: Kapelberg (750m at 7.1%)
164.7km: Paterberg (400m at 12.9%)
166.5km: Oude Kwaremont (2200m at 4%)
174.3km: Karnemelkbeekstraat (1500m at 4.9%)
186.3km: Tiegemberg (750m at 5.6%)

2024 E3 Saxo Bank Classic Cobblestone Sectors

30.5 km: Holleweg (1500 m)
42.5 km: Paddestraat (1500 m)
149.0 km: Mariaborrestraat (1000 m)
179.7 km: Varent (1200 m)