Harelbeke, Belgium – Wout van Aert of Visma-Lease a Bike will not compete in Friday’s E3 Saxo Classic, the team confirmed Wednesday. The decision, made with an eye toward peak form for the upcoming Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, underscores the strategic importance of the spring classics season for the Belgian star. A question mark also remains over his participation in next week’s Dwars door Vlaanderen.
Van Aert himself acknowledged the need for careful planning following his efforts at Milan-Sanremo. “We need to assess things with the team,” he stated after the Italian monument. “I had a real taper week to be at my best in Milan-Sanremo. Now we’ll look at what’s needed to be at my best for the other Monuments.”
Visma-Lease a Bike initially remained noncommittal, stating that all options were still on the table. “One can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that Wout won’t start on Friday,” a team spokesperson said. Though, that uncertainty has now been resolved with the announcement of his withdrawal from the E3.
This is a notable choice, as the E3 Saxo Classic has traditionally served as a crucial test race ahead of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, scheduled for nine days after the E3. The course, known for its challenging climbs and cobblestone sections, provides a valuable opportunity for riders to gauge their condition and fine-tune their tactics.
Focus Shifts to Gent-Wevelgem and Beyond
Despite skipping the E3, Van Aert will return to racing this weekend at Gent-Wevelgem, known as In Flanders Fields. He previously won the race in 2021, demonstrating his ability to excel on the challenging Flemish terrain. Gent-Wevelgem offers a different profile than the E3, with more exposed sections and a greater emphasis on positioning in the wind.
Looking ahead, Van Aert is currently slated to participate in Dwars door Vlaanderen the following Wednesday. However, according to reports from Het Nieuwsblad, his participation in that race is also uncertain, with a final decision pending his performance and recovery after Gent-Wevelgem. This cautious approach highlights the team’s commitment to prioritizing Van Aert’s form for the biggest races of the spring.
Van Aert’s history with Dwars door Vlaanderen has been fraught with misfortune. He suffered a significant crash two years ago, and last year, he narrowly lost the sprint to Neilson Powless. Whether he can finally achieve success in that race remains to be seen.
Wout van Aert, born September 15, 1994, is a versatile cyclist capable of competing at a high level in both road and cyclo-cross disciplines. He currently rides for the UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike, having joined the team in 2019. His palmarès includes three cyclo-cross world championships (2016, 2017, 2018), a Tour de France points classification win in 2022, and victories in prestigious one-day races such as Milan-San Remo (2020) and Amstel Gold Race (2021). He signed a contract with Visma-Lease a Bike extending through the finish of his professional career in late 2024.
The decision to prioritize training over racing in the E3 Saxo Classic reflects a broader trend in professional cycling, where teams are increasingly focused on data-driven training and strategic race selection. The spring classics are a grueling series of races, and riders must carefully manage their energy and recovery to be competitive throughout the season. For a rider of Van Aert’s caliber, the goal is not simply to participate in every race, but to peak at the most important events – namely, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
The Tour of Flanders, held on April 7th, is widely considered the most prestigious of the spring classics. Its challenging course, featuring numerous steep climbs and cobblestone sections, tests riders’ strength, endurance, and technical skills. Paris-Roubaix, known as the “Hell of the North,” follows a week later, presenting a different kind of challenge with its notoriously rough cobblestone roads. Both races demand peak physical condition and tactical awareness.
Van Aert’s recent performance at Milan-Sanremo, where he finished third, demonstrated his strong form. However, the team clearly believes that a period of focused training will be more beneficial than racing the E3, allowing him to arrive at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in optimal condition. This strategic decision underscores the importance of long-term planning and the willingness to produce difficult choices in pursuit of success.
The Visma-Lease a Bike team, known for its meticulous approach to training and racing, has consistently supported Van Aert’s ambitions. The team’s commitment to data analysis and individualized training programs has played a key role in his success over the years. Their decision to allow Van Aert to skip the E3 Saxo Classic is a testament to their trust in his judgment and their belief in the effectiveness of their training methods.
Fans can expect to witness Van Aert back in action at Gent-Wevelgem this Sunday, where he will undoubtedly be a key contender. The race will provide a valuable opportunity to assess his form and fine-tune his tactics ahead of the Tour of Flanders. The official decision regarding his participation in Dwars door Vlaanderen will be announced after Sunday’s race.
Next up for Wout van Aert is Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday, March 30th. The race begins in Ypres, Belgium, and finishes in Wevelgem, covering a distance of approximately 252 kilometers. Fans can follow live coverage on various sports networks and streaming platforms. The team will then announce its decision regarding Dwars door Vlaanderen following the conclusion of Gent-Wevelgem.
What are your thoughts on Van Aert’s decision? Will prioritizing training pay off at the Tour of Flanders? Share your predictions in the comments below.
