E3 Saxo Classic, Belgium – Cycling legend Tom Boonen is set to rejoin Soudal-QuickStep at the E3 Saxo Classic this Friday, but not in a formal coaching capacity. The five-time winner of the race will be observing from the team car alongside sports director Niki Terpstra, assessing his potential future involvement with the team and the sport, and whether he still feels a connection to modern professional cycling.
Boonen’s return marks a potential turning point for both the rider and the Soudal-QuickStep team. The E3 Saxo Classic, often considered a crucial preparation race for the Tour of Flanders, holds a special place in Boonen’s illustrious career. His five victories there cement his status as a Classics icon. This isn’t a full return to the peloton as a director, but rather an exploratory visit, initiated by a call from Soudal-QuickStep CEO Jürgen Foré.
“I saw Niki a few times this winter and I see that there really is a revival going on within the team,” Boonen told the Live Unhurried Ride Fast podcast. Foré reached out to gauge Boonen’s interest in collaborating, but without defining a specific role. Boonen admitted his initial reaction was one of uncertainty. “My first reaction was: ‘But I don’t know anyone anymore.’”
The 45-year-old’s presence in the team car is, a fact-finding mission. He wants to observe the current dynamics within Soudal-QuickStep, evaluate his rapport with the current generation of riders, and determine if he can rediscover the passion he once felt for the sport. The team has faced a challenging start to the season, and Boonen acknowledges the demand for a boost.
“I’m going to follow a few races now, just to see if I still have any connection with current cycling and if I feel anything for those guys,” Boonen explained. “The team has had a lot of bad luck this year, but Notice a number of good riders among them.”
Soudal-QuickStep will field a strong lineup at the E3 Saxo Classic, including former Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan van Baarle and Classics specialist Jasper Stuyven. Boonen’s insights, even in an informal capacity, could prove valuable as the team navigates the challenging course and prepares for the upcoming Tour of Flanders.
However, Boonen isn’t taking a return to a formal role for granted. He emphasized his contentment with his current life, which allows him freedom, and flexibility. “I currently have a good life. I do what I want. With some things I earn something, with others I don’t. But that doesn’t matter to me. I try to be happy in life and I’m managing that.”
The question of whether he could recapture that happiness within the demanding world of professional cycling remains open. “Happy again in the race? I still don’t know if I could be happy again in racing. That’s why I’m doing this now,” he said. He reflected on his past experiences, acknowledging the toll that years of competition took on him. “I’ve been through a lot as a rider. I’m not traumatized by cycling, but I was done with it. Now you enter it in a different way than before. In the last months of my career, I didn’t feel like it anymore. I still liked racing and training, but the rest… It had all grow so serious.”
Boonen’s role at the E3 Saxo Classic is being described as an “intern team director” by some outlets, but the former champion himself has not embraced that label. He is approaching the opportunity as a period of observation and self-assessment, with no guarantees of a long-term commitment. The E3 Saxo Classic, represents more than just a race; it’s a potential crossroads in Tom Boonen’s relationship with the sport he once dominated.
The E3 Saxo Classic will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Belgium. The race is a key indicator of form heading into the Tour of Flanders, and Boonen’s presence adds an intriguing dynamic to the event. Fans will be watching not only the riders on the road but as well Boonen’s reactions from the team car, seeking clues about his potential future in cycling.
Following the E3 Saxo Classic, Boonen is expected to continue evaluating his options and assessing his connection to the sport. His next steps remain uncertain, but his willingness to explore a return to Soudal-QuickStep suggests a lingering passion for cycling and a desire to contribute to the team’s success.
The team’s performance at the E3 Saxo Classic, and Boonen’s observations during the race, will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping his decision. For now, the cycling world waits with anticipation to see if one of its greatest champions will locate a new chapter within the sport he loves.
What’s next? The team will move on to the Tour of Flanders, with the results of the E3 Saxo Classic informing their strategy and rider selection. Boonen’s future involvement with Soudal-QuickStep will likely become clearer in the weeks following the race.
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