Harelbeke, Belgium – Mathieu van der Poel demonstrated his renowned grit and tactical acumen to win the E3 Saxo Classic on Friday, but the victory wasn’t without its anxieties. Battling discomfort and a late surge from a chasing pack, the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider secured his second E3 title, though he admitted afterward it was a hard-fought win that left him depleted. The result adds another layer of intrigue as he prepares for the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, two of cycling’s most prestigious monuments.
Van der Poel, who entered the race with his left hand taped after a crash at Milan-San Remo last weekend, initially appeared to be on track for a dominant solo victory. He launched a decisive attack on the Boigneberg, 63 kilometers from the finish, and built a substantial lead. However, a challenging headwind and a determined chase group forced him to dig deep in the final kilometers.
“At one point I didn’t feel so good anymore,” Van der Poel confessed after the race, as reported by various sources. “I struggled through the last twenty kilometers. A group of four chasers was rapidly closing, and with one kilometer to go, Florian Vermeersch, Jonas Abrahamsen, Stan Dewulf, and Per Strand Hagenes were right on my wheel. But they didn’t quite produce the final move, and I was able to hold them off.”
The closing kilometer saw Van der Poel maintain his tempo, aware of the approaching riders but lacking the energy for a full-blown sprint. “I just kept riding my own pace,” he explained. “I thought they were coming back to me about a kilometer from the finish, but I knew I didn’t have the strength for a sprint. I just went as fast as I could, even if it was just in the saddle, and it turned out to be enough.”
A Lack of Collaboration Dooms the Chase
The question on many observers’ minds was why the chasing quartet failed to capitalize on their proximity to Van der Poel in the final kilometer. The answer, it seems, lies in a breakdown of cooperation. Vermeersch reportedly stopped pacing with a kilometer remaining, even as Abrahamsen appeared reluctant to take the lead. Each rider had their own calculations, and motivations.
“Suddenly, the collaboration ended,” Vermeersch said. “I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to show all my cards.’ I’d rather let Mathieu go and sprint for second place. That’s racing. It’s a shame because we could have gone for more.” Vermeersch, considered the strongest sprinter of the group, was ultimately content with second place.
“Am I angry with the others? No, that’s just racing. I never get angry. And racing is relative,” he added.
Stan Dewulf offered a similar perspective. “Nobody wanted to pull Mathieu in those last meters. Everyone was already counting on a sprint. I saw Mathieu speeding up, and none of us wanted to try to close the gap.”
“If you do that, you lose your best position for the sprint. It was really bizarre. I didn’t even really understand what was happening,” Dewulf continued, reflecting on a day where he spent the entire race in the breakaway but ultimately finished fourth. “We got very close, and it was purely a gamble on someone else. We thought we had him.”
Dewulf believes Van der Poel executed a clever tactical maneuver, accelerating while in the saddle, catching the chasers off guard. “He sped up, but while seated, and then he was gone before we even realized it. We lost a few meters while it looked like he was already resigned to defeat. But no. I would have taken fourth place beforehand, but now it’s a bit of a disappointment.”
Per Strand Hagenes, who had the fastest sprint in the group, also acknowledged the tactical complexities. “I’m happy with second place. Vermeersch asked Abrahamsen to lead for a while longer. He didn’t want to, and neither did I. That’s racing.”
“If you don’t win, you lose. But second place is better than fourth. To win, you also have to take risks, but I definitely wasn’t strong enough to close all the gaps and then still win the sprint,” Hagenes explained. “I was more frustrated after GP Denain. I made the right decisions, unless they tell me otherwise in the team bus.”
A Painful Victory for Van der Poel
Despite the win, Van der Poel’s performance raised questions about his form heading into the major spring classics. He admitted the victory was one of his most physically demanding. “It was one of the hardest wins I’ve ever had,” he stated.
The early attack on the Boigneberg, while initially successful in thinning the peloton, left him isolated and battling a strong headwind. “It was more about reducing the group on the Boigneberg, but I ended up alone. The section from there to the Paterberg was into the wind, and that’s when I felt it would be tough,” Van der Poel explained.
“I initially felt quite optimistic, but I know how difficult It’s to ride on this course alone. I thought I wouldn’t make it, I was finished five kilometers from the finish. I managed it, but it cost me blood, sweat, and tears.”
Vermeersch Shines as Pogačar Prepares
While Van der Poel secured the victory, the performance of Florian Vermeersch was a significant positive for Tadej Pogačar and the UAE Team Emirates. Pogačar is currently training at home in preparation for the Tour of Flanders next Sunday, but he undoubtedly watched Van der Poel’s struggles and Vermeersch’s strong showing with interest. Vermeersch’s ability to contend even after a mechanical issue demonstrates his excellent form.
Vermeersch will be a crucial support rider for Pogačar at the Tour of Flanders, where the Slovenian will attempt to win for the third time. He will also be a key asset at Paris-Roubaix the following week, a race Vermeersch particularly enjoys, having finished second in 2021 and fifth last year. Pogačar could potentially complete his collection of monuments with Vermeersch’s assistance.
The E3 Saxo Classic served as a vital test for Van der Poel, revealing both his resilience and potential vulnerabilities. As he turns his attention to the Tour of Flanders, he will need to refine his form and rely on his team to navigate the challenging course. The battle between Van der Poel and Pogačar promises to be a thrilling spectacle in the weeks to come.
Next up for Van der Poel is the Tour of Flanders on March 30th. The race, starting in Antwerp, will test the riders over a grueling 270.8-kilometer course featuring numerous cobblestone sections and challenging climbs. Fans can follow live coverage on various sports networks and streaming platforms.
What are your thoughts on Van der Poel’s win? Do you think he’s in peak form for Flanders? Share your predictions in the comments below!
