E3 Saxo Classic Preview
Analysis written by Sergio Yustos (@sergioyustos_) and Fantasy tips by Cédric Molina (@ilcapoced)
ROUTE ANALYSIS
- Schedule: 12:50 - 17:10 CET
- TV start: 16:00 CET
The E3 Saxo Classic offers a 209-kilometre route where the bergs (short, sharp climbs) are the key features.
With 120 kilometres to go, the race really begins. The climbs start to come in quicker succession and that’s when the action in the bunch will kick off. Even so, the first major moves are more likely around the 70-kilometre-to-go mark, on the Taaienberg, a climb that normally wreaks havoc in the main group. It would be unusual to see big attacks before then, but from here we should definitely expect them. A Taainberg where Tom Boonen left his mark; in fact, it’s commonly known as the Boonenberg.
There’s still a long way to go after that, but in the next section we’ll certainly miss the passage over Stationsberg+Mariaborrestraat/Steenbeekdries, a point that used to be perfect for attacks from lesser-fancied riders looking to spring a surprise. This removal significantly reduces the influence of the cobbled sectors and, as a result, opens the door to a different type of rider.
The main course, however, is the Paterberg/Oude Kwaremont combo. The Paterberg, with a maximum gradient of 13.5%, comes first with 42 kilometres remaining, quickly followed by the Oude Kwaremont, 2.5 kilometres long, at 37 kilometres to go. These two climbs are expected to be the launchpad for the decisive attacks.
After that, the terrain becomes relatively gentler, with some smaller climbs and the passage over Tiegemberg 19 kilometres from the finish. These sectors can give the leading group or rider the decisive margin, or breathe life into those chasing from behind.
Climbs
| Climb | Altitude | Distance | Average gradient | Km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katteberg | 59 m | 0.7 km | 6.3 % | 32.6 |
| La Houppe | 137 m | 1.9 km | 4.6 % | 77.8 |
| Berg ten Stene | 96 m | 1.3 km | 5.2 % | 85.9 |
| Oude Kruisberg | 103 m | 0.8 km | 7.0 % | 108.4 |
| Karnemelkbeekstraat (E3 Col) | 129 m | 1.5 km | 5.2 % | 115.1 |
| Oude Kwaremont (new side) | 99 m | 2.5 km | 3.1 % | 123.9 |
| Hotondberg | 155 m | 1.2 km | 3.2 % | 127.1 |
| Kortekeer | 82 m | 1.0 km | 5.8 % | 134.0 |
| Taaienberg | 77 m | 0.7 km | 6.3 % | 138.4 |
| Boigneberg | 82 m | 1.0 km | 4.9 % | 145.3 |
| Eikenberg | 81 m | 1.2 km | 5.0 % | 149.9 |
| Kapelberg | 79 m | 0.7 km | 5.1 % | 163.2 |
| Paterberg | 67 m | 0.4 km | 9.2 % | 166.9 |
| Oude Kwaremont | 99 m | 1.9 km | 4.2 % | 172.0 |
| Karnemelkbeekstraat (E3 Col) | 129 m | 1.5 km | 5.2 % | 178.7 |
| Tiegemberg | 76 m | 0.9 km | 4.5 % | 189.6 |
Cobbled sectors
| Nº | Sector | Distance | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katteberg | 1300 m | 32.6 |
| 2 | Holleweg | 1500 m | 34.8 |
| 3 | Paddestraat | 2300 m | 47.2 |
| 4 | Oude Kruisberg | 800 m | 108.4 |
| 5 | Oude Kwaremont | 1200 m | 123.9 |
| 6 | Taaienberg | 500 m | 138.4 |
| 7 | Eikenberg | 1200 m | 149.9 |
| 8 | Paterberg | 400 m | 166.9 |
| 9 | Oude Kwaremont | 1500 m | 172.0 |
| 10 | Varentstraat | 2000 m | 186.7 |
THE WEATHER
Neither the wind expected nor the chances of rain look extreme; in fact, the weather should be quite good to enjoy the day to the fullest, so I wouldn’t worry too much about this.
FAVOURITES FOR THE WIN
There is a clear favourite: Mathieu van der Poel, but it’s a route that can pose plenty of difficulties for him. The hard part is seeing him lose, but it’s possible, and those most likely to make that happen are riders like Mads Pedersen, Christophe Laporte or Jasper Stuyven, who already made it clear in San Remo what role he intends to play this spring. I also wouldn’t be overly demanding with the Dane, but his strong performance in La Classicissima shows he’s ready to fight for everything from now on.
Behind these names, we also have to take into account the UAE Team Emirates block, which will have to make the most of the absence of Tadej Pogačar so that others can go in search of personal victories; riders like Antonio Morgado, Nils Politt or Florian Vermeersch have a great opportunity here.
We must not forget riders such as Tobias Lund Andresen, Jonas Abrahamsen, Tibor Del Grosso, Matteo Trentin, Laurence Pithie, Mathias Vacek, Alec Segaert, Dylan van Baarle, Gianni Vermeersch, Tim van Dijke or Romain Grégoire, who in my view is one of the riders who gains the most from this route and, therefore, could be in the fight for the win.
If we want to look for bigger surprises, we might land on riders like Ben Turner, Per Strand Hagenes, Michael Valgren, Luca Mozzato, Fred Wright, Rasmus Tiller or Søren Kragh Andersen, but in that respect I’m going to side with Jenno Berckmoes and Anthony Turgis, who could have a nice opportunity here.
IL CAPO CED’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE A CAPO IN FANTASY
💥 Il capo’s data.
- Up to last season, the podium of this race had featured a French and/or a Belgian rider for 7 consecutive editions.
- 5 of the last 7 editions were won by Soudal Quick-Step or Team Visma | Lease a Bike. The exception: Mathieu van der Poel with his two consecutive wins in 2024 and 2025.
- Only 4 riders have won this race 2 or more times. Van der Poel could become the 5th, after Tom Boonen (5), Rik Van Looy (4), Fabian Cancellara (3) and Jan Raas (3).
🌟 Capos to follow.
Below I’ll list, according to my criteria, the riders I would choose for my ‘9’, grouped by price range.
💰 1000-1200 coins (3 riders):
Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen and Biniam Girmay
I’m going with the winner of the last 2 editions. I’d almost say I recommend going with him alone, since Pedersen doesn’t seem to be at his peak form yet and Girmay, at that price, looks expensive and not very reliable.
💰 600-800 coins (6 riders):
Romain Grégoire, Jonas Abrahamsen, Tobias Lund Andresen, Mathias Vacek, Magnus Sheffield, Samuel Watson
💰 400 coins (22 riders) [From here I’ll recommend only 10]:
Christophe Laporte, Jasper Stuyven, Matteo Trentin, Jenno Berckmoes, Tibor Del Grosso, Fred Wright, Mike Teunissen, Laurence Pithie, Alec Segaert, Anthony Turgis
💰 200 coins (rest of the peloton) [From here I’ll recommend only 10]:
Florian Vermeersch, Tim van Dijke, Antonio Morgado, Matej Mohorič, Gianni Vermeersch, Michael Valgren, Per Strand Hagenes, Markus Hoelgaard, Rasmus Tiller, Nils Politt, Dries Van Gestel
📂 Riders with -10% who managed to finish T10.
2025: 3
2024: 3
2023: 3
2022: 2
2021: 5 (including the 🥇)
2019: 3
📂 Riders costing 200 coins who managed to finish T10.
2025: 2
2024: 3
2023: 0
2022: 3
2021: 3
2019: 2
📂 Users’ popular vote in the app (15 most selected riders).
6 editions played in Fantasy (all since 2019, except the 2020 season)
They got the 🥇 right: 5/6
They got the 🥈 right: 5/6
They got the 🥉 right: 4/6
They got the rest of the T10 right: 16/42 (38% success)