{"id":1851637,"date":"2026-03-27T16:43:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:43:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1851637"},"modified":"2026-03-27T16:43:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T13:43:00","slug":"e3-saxo-classic-mathieu-van-der-poel-punishes-rivals-but-fights-to-hold-off-fast-closing-chase-group-for-three-peat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1851637","title":{"rendered":"E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nE3 Saxo Classic\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nRace Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLaura Weislo <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T16:43:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Per Strand Hagenes and Florian Vermeersch round out podium as four-rider pursuit of Alpecin-Premier Tech rider falls short<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech wins E3 Saxo Classic a third time<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Results<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\"><span>0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d\">Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) soloed to victory for the third time in a row in the E3 Saxo Classic, but for the first time he was nearly caught in the final kilometre.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was about to catch Van der Poel at the red kite, but chose that moment to sit up and look for one of his three companions to pull through, and found no help. With that one moment of hesitation, the chasers gave the win away to the Dutchman.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike) out-sprinted Vermeersch for second, leaving the Belgian to settle for third.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Mathieu van der Poel storms to solo victory with stinging Muur van Geraardsbergen attack<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), the last man standing from the day&#8217;s early breakaway, finished fourth ahead of Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van der Poel spent more than 68 kilometres on the attack after following a move on the Taaienberg and ending up on his own for much longer than he had planned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I&#8217;m really happy with the win but it cost a lot of energy,&#8221; a visibly exhausted Van der Poel said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I thought I could make it but with 5km to go, it nearly went wrong. Especially with at bit more than one k to go, the legs were just not really turning well anymore,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;And then I looked back and they were really close, but I knew if I waited, I would become fifth, because I didn&#8217;t have the legs anymore to do a sprint. So I just did an all-out seated [effort] to the finish line.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4a332d17-fccc-4266-aad5-27f4c47b546c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech was almost in the clutches of a four-rider chase when he found the finish line <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-it-unfolded\"><span>How it unfolded<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6bf2fff2-cd97-4aa2-a953-5ffdc7dd14a2\">The big warm-up for the Tour of Flanders, the E3 Saxo Classic, got off to a fast start with numerous attacks. After some 40 kilometres of attacks, a group of three riders grew to six, and the gap rapidly blew out to over three minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ), Nicholas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5), Michiel Lambrecht (Team Flanders &#8211; Baloise), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), Luke Durbridge (Jayco-AlUla), and Sven Erik Bystr\u00f8m (Uno-X Mobility) made up the leading group, and they were chased for most of the day by Sean Flynn and Henri-Fran\u00e7ois Renard-Haquin (Picnic-PostNL) and Vojt\u011bch Km\u00ednek (Burgos Burpellet BH).<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">As it happened: Thrilling finale at E3 Saxo Classic comes down to the wire <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-74ce2cd3-befb-4623-87ba-859325eda55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sven Erik Bystrom of Uno-X Mobility leads the breakaway <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ac27873f-be4c-4060-ad25-06b115d56d97\">With 90km to go, an attack from behind brought seven more riders, including TotalEnergies&#8217; leader Anthony Turgis, into contact with the Flynn group but the peloton was within 30 seconds of that second chase while the leaders were three minutes up the road.<\/p>\n<p>The Turgis group gained 50 seconds on the peloton, but overall, the gap to the leaders was shrinking below two minutes when Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lit it up on the Taaienberg and was quickly joined by Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f4f3ddbe-d13e-43cd-baa0-43673f132b95\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) leads an attack with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-965801cd-c5d1-48d4-80e5-2c2cb423847d\">Van der Poel and Van Dijke bridged across to the Turgis group, and then, on the Boigneberg with 63.5km to go, Van der Poel attacked and went solo in pursuit of the lead group.<\/p>\n<p>However, with riders like Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) still behind, the peloton was highly motivated to bring back the escapees. They swept past the Turgis group with 53km to go, leaving Van der Poel in no-man\u2019s land behind the breakaway.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel had the leaders in sight on the Kappelberg with 48km to go and joined them 2km later, with a few kilometres to recover before the next climb, the Paterberg.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b675e5a0-0235-4f12-a4fc-825bbb3e1a26\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech takes off solo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5dc944a-1035-4de0-802f-96902f0a9eb4\">True to form, Van der Poel powered away on the steepest part of the cobbled climb, with Dewulf continuing to chase as the rest of his companions went back to the peloton, which was just one minute behind. Van der Poel had a decision to make &#8211; wait for Dewulf and get some help, or forge ahead alone. Of course, he chose the latter.<\/p>\n<p>Over the Oude Kwaremont, Van der Poel had almost 30 seconds on Dewulf and a minute on what was left of the chasing peloton and 37km to race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-136b7a0e-4779-4fe8-9a97-f3b322838fcc\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel rides at the front of the race alone <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-08afbda6-f63a-45fe-af74-9e84c7912c82\">On the next climb, the E3 Col, Van der Poel gained another 10 seconds while Dewulf was caught by Vermeersch, Hagenes, and Abrahamsen.<\/p>\n<p>Something unusual began to happen over the final 30 kilometres &#8211; the chasing quartet actually cooperated &#8211; even Dewulf, who, after taking time to recover from his day-long breakaway, started pulling through.<\/p>\n<p>They closed to within 30 seconds of Van der Poel with the peloton at a minute, and the gaps seemed to stagnate on the long, straight road to Harelbeke.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36e45ae9-4cf2-4e1a-9aa2-0bba5adc9216\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility leads the quartet of chasers <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a8d02d9d-6aad-4a52-9299-e8bdd7f563db\">But with 10km to go, the chasers were closing in on the convoy following the Dutch superstar, and had a rare chance to take down one of the biggest names in the sport.<\/p>\n<p>The race was by no means decided with 8km to go &#8211; Van der Poel had 20 seconds on the four chasers and only 40 seconds on the bunch behind them, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe pushing the pace.<\/p>\n<p>As the rain began to fall with 5km to go, Van der Poel&#8217;s hopes of a solo victory were dampened when the chasing quartet got within 10 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>At the red kit with 1km to go, Vermeersch very nearly closed the gap down, but he looked around for someone to pull through, and that just gave Van der Poel the impetus he needed to solo to another E3 Classic victory.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-results\"><span>Results<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7715a974-3159-4862-ac3a-497b15b928d2\"><strong>Results powered by FirstCycling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Laura Weislo<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Managing Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Laura Weislo is a <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Mathieu van der Poel storms to solo victory with stinging Muur van Geraardsbergen attack<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Thrilling finale at E3 Saxo Classic comes down to the wire <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2026 route<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race 2026 route<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition past winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race past winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Jonas Vingegaard dominates stage 5 mountaintop finish to Coll de Pal for solo victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Race Results<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Jonas Vingegaard dominates stage 5 mountaintop finish to Coll de Pal for solo victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Coppi e Bartali: Tommaso Dati outpaces Mauro Schmid to win stage 3<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Ethan Vernon wins truncated stage 4 on long uphill drag to Camprod\u00f3n while Tom Pidcock moves into second overall<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ronde van Brugge Women: Carys Lloyd takes stunning sprint victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Coppi e Bartali: Filippo D&#8217;Aiuto holds off sprinters with late attack to win stage 2<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ronde van Brugge: Another victory for Dylan Groenewegen as crosswinds and crashes rip through peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;No reason to panic&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel drops down Volta a Catalunya standings as Florian Lipowitz closes in on podium<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Today I lost a life for sure&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock &#8216;OK&#8217; after crashing into a ravine in the Volta a Catalunya out of sight of race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nE3 Saxo Classic\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nRace Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLaura Weislo <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T16:43:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Per Strand Hagenes and Florian Vermeersch round out podium as four-rider pursuit of Alpecin-Premier Tech rider falls short<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech wins E3 Saxo Classic a third time<\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[60px] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\"><span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[''] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Results<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\"><span>0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d\">Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) soloed to victory for the third time in a row in the E3 Saxo Classic, but for the first time he was nearly caught in the final kilometre.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was about to catch Van der Poel at the red kite, but chose that moment to sit up and look for one of his three companions to pull through, and found no help. With that one moment of hesitation, the chasers gave the win away to the Dutchman.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike) out-sprinted Vermeersch for second, leaving the Belgian to settle for third.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Mathieu van der Poel storms to solo victory with stinging Muur van Geraardsbergen attack<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), the last man standing from the day&#8217;s early breakaway, finished fourth ahead of Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van der Poel spent more than 68 kilometres on the attack after following a move on the Taaienberg and ending up on his own for much longer than he had planned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I&#8217;m really happy with the win but it cost a lot of energy,&#8221; a visibly exhausted Van der Poel said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I thought I could make it but with 5km to go, it nearly went wrong. Especially with at bit more than one k to go, the legs were just not really turning well anymore,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;And then I looked back and they were really close, but I knew if I waited, I would become fifth, because I didn&#8217;t have the legs anymore to do a sprint. So I just did an all-out seated [effort] to the finish line.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4a332d17-fccc-4266-aad5-27f4c47b546c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech was almost in the clutches of a four-rider chase when he found the finish line <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-it-unfolded\"><span>How it unfolded<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6bf2fff2-cd97-4aa2-a953-5ffdc7dd14a2\">The big warm-up for the Tour of Flanders, the E3 Saxo Classic, got off to a fast start with numerous attacks. After some 40 kilometres of attacks, a group of three riders grew to six, and the gap rapidly blew out to over three minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ), Nicholas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5), Michiel Lambrecht (Team Flanders &#8211; Baloise), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), Luke Durbridge (Jayco-AlUla), and Sven Erik Bystr\u00f8m (Uno-X Mobility) made up the leading group, and they were chased for most of the day by Sean Flynn and Henri-Fran\u00e7ois Renard-Haquin (Picnic-PostNL) and Vojt\u011bch Km\u00ednek (Burgos Burpellet BH).<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">As it happened: Thrilling finale at E3 Saxo Classic comes down to the wire <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-74ce2cd3-befb-4623-87ba-859325eda55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sven Erik Bystrom of Uno-X Mobility leads the breakaway <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ac27873f-be4c-4060-ad25-06b115d56d97\">With 90km to go, an attack from behind brought seven more riders, including TotalEnergies&#8217; leader Anthony Turgis, into contact with the Flynn group but the peloton was within 30 seconds of that second chase while the leaders were three minutes up the road.<\/p>\n<p>The Turgis group gained 50 seconds on the peloton, but overall, the gap to the leaders was shrinking below two minutes when Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lit it up on the Taaienberg and was quickly joined by Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f4f3ddbe-d13e-43cd-baa0-43673f132b95\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) leads an attack with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-965801cd-c5d1-48d4-80e5-2c2cb423847d\">Van der Poel and Van Dijke bridged across to the Turgis group, and then, on the Boigneberg with 63.5km to go, Van der Poel attacked and went solo in pursuit of the lead group.<\/p>\n<p>However, with riders like Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) still behind, the peloton was highly motivated to bring back the escapees. They swept past the Turgis group with 53km to go, leaving Van der Poel in no-man\u2019s land behind the breakaway.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel had the leaders in sight on the Kappelberg with 48km to go and joined them 2km later, with a few kilometres to recover before the next climb, the Paterberg.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b675e5a0-0235-4f12-a4fc-825bbb3e1a26\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech takes off solo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5dc944a-1035-4de0-802f-96902f0a9eb4\">True to form, Van der Poel powered away on the steepest part of the cobbled climb, with Dewulf continuing to chase as the rest of his companions went back to the peloton, which was just one minute behind. Van der Poel had a decision to make &#8211; wait for Dewulf and get some help, or forge ahead alone. Of course, he chose the latter.<\/p>\n<p>Over the Oude Kwaremont, Van der Poel had almost 30 seconds on Dewulf and a minute on what was left of the chasing peloton and 37km to race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-136b7a0e-4779-4fe8-9a97-f3b322838fcc\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel rides at the front of the race alone <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-08afbda6-f63a-45fe-af74-9e84c7912c82\">On the next climb, the E3 Col, Van der Poel gained another 10 seconds while Dewulf was caught by Vermeersch, Hagenes, and Abrahamsen.<\/p>\n<p>Something unusual began to happen over the final 30 kilometres &#8211; the chasing quartet actually cooperated &#8211; even Dewulf, who, after taking time to recover from his day-long breakaway, started pulling through.<\/p>\n<p>They closed to within 30 seconds of Van der Poel with the peloton at a minute, and the gaps seemed to stagnate on the long, straight road to Harelbeke.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36e45ae9-4cf2-4e1a-9aa2-0bba5adc9216\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility leads the quartet of chasers <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a8d02d9d-6aad-4a52-9299-e8bdd7f563db\">But with 10km to go, the chasers were closing in on the convoy following the Dutch superstar, and had a rare chance to take down one of the biggest names in the sport.<\/p>\n<p>The race was by no means decided with 8km to go &#8211; Van der Poel had 20 seconds on the four chasers and only 40 seconds on the bunch behind them, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe pushing the pace.<\/p>\n<p>As the rain began to fall with 5km to go, Van der Poel&#8217;s hopes of a solo victory were dampened when the chasing quartet got within 10 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>At the red kit with 1km to go, Vermeersch very nearly closed the gap down, but he looked around for someone to pull through, and that just gave Van der Poel the impetus he needed to solo to another E3 Classic victory.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-results\"><span>Results<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7715a974-3159-4862-ac3a-497b15b928d2\"><strong>Results powered by FirstCycling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rbx5aMuCYhP4dUt7us9LAi.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Laura Weislo<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Managing Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Laura Weislo is a <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Mathieu van der Poel storms to solo victory with stinging Muur van Geraardsbergen attack<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">As it happened: Thrilling finale at E3 Saxo Classic comes down to the wire <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/izcWNxyRNPwEDiSaSfDDoh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition 2026 route<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LNwgYacBFhgVsiFiYVTzc4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race 2026 route<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8bmqtwj2g9GN9sE49AHDDa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition past winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/vVm5VLQ83jUjReZtuvYN9F-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Amstel Gold Race past winners<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Jonas Vingegaard dominates stage 5 mountaintop finish to Coll de Pal for solo victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Race Results<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DgvHgzcJviF7nsZBdAJJV9-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Jonas Vingegaard dominates stage 5 mountaintop finish to Coll de Pal for solo victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FabeA5f2KCJAtMDutJQcCj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Coppi e Bartali: Tommaso Dati outpaces Mauro Schmid to win stage 3<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hvYurs5TyGPgncEZaLZiHi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Volta a Catalunya: Ethan Vernon wins truncated stage 4 on long uphill drag to Camprod\u00f3n while Tom Pidcock moves into second overall<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PbWdYuYVHcviS88jjJ4SMn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ronde van Brugge Women: Carys Lloyd takes stunning sprint victory <\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mNVNBh85U3a45xkzdTTGkQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Coppi e Bartali: Filippo D&#8217;Aiuto holds off sprinters with late attack to win stage 2<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zVkednvfXZyHyYVhfh4YTB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ronde van Brugge: Another victory for Dylan Groenewegen as crosswinds and crashes rip through peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"sponsored-post--placeholder max-w-full animate-pulse\"><span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7daaDk8MCNriTqMMRKTqhW.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;No reason to panic&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel drops down Volta a Catalunya standings as Florian Lipowitz closes in on podium<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Today I lost a life for sure&#8217; &#8211; Tom Pidcock &#8216;OK&#8217; after crashing into a ravine in the Volta a Catalunya out of sight of race<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nE3 Saxo Classic\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nRace Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nLaura Weislo <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-27T16:43:00Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n27 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Per Strand Hagenes and Florian Vermeersch round out podium as four-rider pursuit of Alpecin-Premier Tech rider falls short<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"!m-0\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\"><span>0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div role=\"dialog\" class=\"hidden fixed inset-0 z-[999999999999999999] bg-[#33333370] flex items-center justify-center p-6 newsletter-modal\" data-batch-endpoint=\"https:\/\/newsletter-subscribe.futureplc.com\/v2\/submission\/submit_batch\" data-batch-source=\"302\" data-component-name=\"Newsletter:Modal\">\n<div class=\"bg-neutral-100 rounded-xl shadow-xl w-full lg:w-2\/3 xl:w-1\/2 p-6 relative max-h-[95vh] overflow-y-auto\">\n<div id=\"newsletter-capture-modal\">\n<div class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0 bg-inherit font-ui-heading\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base font-article-copy\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<div data-component-name=\"Newsletter:NewsletterForm\">\n<hr class=\"modal_hr mt-3 mb-4 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"modal_footer block text-left opacity-80 text-[.8em] leading-[1.3em] mt-2 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline font-article-copy\">\nBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d\">Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) soloed to victory for the third time in a row in the E3 Saxo Classic, but for the first time he was nearly caught in the final kilometre.<\/p>\n<p>Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) was about to catch Van der Poel at the red kite, but chose that moment to sit up and look for one of his three companions to pull through, and found no help. With that one moment of hesitation, the chasers gave the win away to the Dutchman.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-07f76583-5889-418d-b6eb-166679b9846d-2\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Per Strand Hagenes (Visma-Lease a Bike) out-sprinted Vermeersch for second, leaving the Belgian to settle for third.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/737Pk3hyHkMtHMqWNXy5kX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;I gave up, actually, because they were so close&#8217; \u2013 Mathieu van der Poel made to look human despite completing E3 Saxo Classic hat-trick with &#8216;one of my best efforts&#8217;<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aQTYbSjEYWp6ZjCnA4Rk5F-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;My companions decided to gamble&#8217; \u2013 Florian Vermeersch disappointed at lack of cooperation after chasers let Mathieu van der Poel stay away in final kilometre of E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jZog7PKmMxaWsMUf6npwH4-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Omloop Het Nieuwsblad: Mathieu van der Poel storms to solo victory with stinging Muur van Geraardsbergen attack<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), the last man standing from the day&#8217;s early breakaway, finished fourth ahead of Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Van der Poel spent more than 68 kilometres on the attack after following a move on the Taaienberg and ending up on his own for much longer than he had planned.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I&#8217;m really happy with the win but it cost a lot of energy,&#8221; a visibly exhausted Van der Poel said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;I thought I could make it but with 5km to go, it nearly went wrong. Especially with at bit more than one k to go, the legs were just not really turning well anymore,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-duhRimAhAcTPwVmKDyribb slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;And then I looked back and they were really close, but I knew if I waited, I would become fifth, because I didn&#8217;t have the legs anymore to do a sprint. So I just did an all-out seated [effort] to the finish line.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4a332d17-fccc-4266-aad5-27f4c47b546c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyZjbVosmcJHQKMeJdJcF3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech was almost in the clutches of a four-rider chase when he found the finish line <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-how-it-unfolded\"><span>How it unfolded<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6bf2fff2-cd97-4aa2-a953-5ffdc7dd14a2\">The big warm-up for the Tour of Flanders, the E3 Saxo Classic, got off to a fast start with numerous attacks. After some 40 kilometres of attacks, a group of three riders grew to six, and the gap rapidly blew out to over three minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ), Nicholas Zukowsky (Pinarello Q36.5), Michiel Lambrecht (Team Flanders &#8211; Baloise), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon CMA CGM), Luke Durbridge (Jayco-AlUla), and Sven Erik Bystr\u00f8m (Uno-X Mobility) made up the leading group, and they were chased for most of the day by Sean Flynn and Henri-Fran\u00e7ois Renard-Haquin (Picnic-PostNL) and Vojt\u011bch Km\u00ednek (Burgos Burpellet BH).<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KmCP2fVQs8jJ7ftvKWbUbm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">As it happened: Thrilling finale at E3 Saxo Classic comes down to the wire <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/y9nBuKzSw9zBxEAyzD6Pu5-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;It&#8217;s not up to us&#8217; or &#8216;there is no more time to gamble&#8217;? How big teams in the peloton failed to chase down Mathieu van der Poel in E3 Saxo Classic<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ckkuUe7x9xhQtSPVqMeokg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Ename Samyn Classic: Jordi Meeus sprints to victory as late attacker Per Strand Hagenes caught in final kilometre<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-74ce2cd3-befb-4623-87ba-859325eda55e\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ga3FLcunVuCM4WfxM7gXgP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Sven Erik Bystrom of Uno-X Mobility leads the breakaway <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-ac27873f-be4c-4060-ad25-06b115d56d97\">With 90km to go, an attack from behind brought seven more riders, including TotalEnergies&#8217; leader Anthony Turgis, into contact with the Flynn group but the peloton was within 30 seconds of that second chase while the leaders were three minutes up the road.<\/p>\n<p>The Turgis group gained 50 seconds on the peloton, but overall, the gap to the leaders was shrinking below two minutes when Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) lit it up on the Taaienberg and was quickly joined by Van der Poel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f4f3ddbe-d13e-43cd-baa0-43673f132b95\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ct5M6FezfenhNG2bbuhuJA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Tim van Dijke (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) leads an attack with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-965801cd-c5d1-48d4-80e5-2c2cb423847d\">Van der Poel and Van Dijke bridged across to the Turgis group, and then, on the Boigneberg with 63.5km to go, Van der Poel attacked and went solo in pursuit of the lead group.<\/p>\n<p>However, with riders like Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) and Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike) still behind, the peloton was highly motivated to bring back the escapees. They swept past the Turgis group with 53km to go, leaving Van der Poel in no-man\u2019s land behind the breakaway.<\/p>\n<p>Van der Poel had the leaders in sight on the Kappelberg with 48km to go and joined them 2km later, with a few kilometres to recover before the next climb, the Paterberg.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b675e5a0-0235-4f12-a4fc-825bbb3e1a26\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bAFTKnvoKctYxBS683Y9gD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Premier Tech takes off solo <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-b5dc944a-1035-4de0-802f-96902f0a9eb4\">True to form, Van der Poel powered away on the steepest part of the cobbled climb, with Dewulf continuing to chase as the rest of his companions went back to the peloton, which was just one minute behind. Van der Poel had a decision to make &#8211; wait for Dewulf and get some help, or forge ahead alone. Of course, he chose the latter.<\/p>\n<p>Over the Oude Kwaremont, Van der Poel had almost 30 seconds on Dewulf and a minute on what was left of the chasing peloton and 37km to race.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-136b7a0e-4779-4fe8-9a97-f3b322838fcc\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/oDFWnCp5YfnXiBz4ygZwhJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Mathieu van der Poel rides at the front of the race alone <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-08afbda6-f63a-45fe-af74-9e84c7912c82\">On the next climb, the E3 Col, Van der Poel gained another 10 seconds while Dewulf was caught by Vermeersch, Hagenes, and Abrahamsen.<\/p>\n<p>Something unusual began to happen over the final 30 kilometres &#8211; the chasing quartet actually cooperated &#8211; even Dewulf, who, after taking time to recover from his day-long breakaway, started pulling through.<\/p>\n<p>They closed to within 30 seconds of Van der Poel with the peloton at a minute, and the gaps seemed to stagnate on the long, straight road to Harelbeke.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-36e45ae9-4cf2-4e1a-9aa2-0bba5adc9216\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/topui9BaSY98kkh6edG9EH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Jonas Abrahamsen of Uno-X Mobility leads the quartet of chasers <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-a8d02d9d-6aad-4a52-9299-e8bdd7f563db\">But with 10km to go, the chasers were closing in on the convoy following the Dutch superstar, and had a rare chance to take down one of the biggest names in the sport.<\/p>\n<p>The race was by no means decided with 8km to go &#8211; Van der Poel had 20 seconds on the four chasers and only 40 seconds on the bunch behind them, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe pushing the pace.<\/p>\n<p>As the rain began to fall with 5km to go, Van der Poel&#8217;s hopes of a solo victory were dampened when the chasing quartet got within 10 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>At the red kit with 1km to go, Vermeersch very nearly closed the gap down, but he looked around for someone to pull through, and that just gave Van der Poel the impetus he needed to solo to another E3 Classic victory.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-results\"><span>Results<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7715a974-3159-4862-ac3a-497b15b928d2\"><strong>Results powered by FirstCycling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/e3-saxo-classic-mathieu-van-der-poel-punishes-rivals-on-the-paterberg-but-fights-to-hold-off-fast-closing-chase-group-for-three-peat\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MddsXKghDmxDJzcWYTZTCn-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Racing Road E3 Saxo Classic E3 Saxo Classic: Mathieu van der Poel punishes rivals but fights to hold off fast-closing chase group for three-peat Race Results By Laura Weislo published 27 March 2026 Per Strand Hagenes and Florian Vermeersch round out podium as four-rider pursuit of Alpecin-Premier Tech rider falls [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1851637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1851637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851637\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1851637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1851637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1851637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}