Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for E3 Saxo Classic 2023
The Ronde Van Vlaanderen is the most famous Flemish race. However, the monument is not alone on the calendar, but is the culmination of the Vlaamse Wielerweek, the Flemish classics week for specialists in cobbled climbs, which also includes E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields, and Dwars Door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre. These three races serve as an appetizer to the Ronde, but they are also prestigious classics that are an objective in themselves for some riders, especially this Sunday's Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields.
E3 Saxo Classic
Route: E3 Harelbeke (E3 Saxo Classic for commercial reasons) presents a 205-kilometer route with 2002 meters of positive elevation gain. In total, 16 climbs and 10 sectors of cobbles, including the Oude Kwaremont (2.1 km at 4.2%) and the Paterberg (0.4 km at 9%), which will undoubtedly test the form of the specialists.
Favorites: Mathieu Van der Poel (1200), Wout Van Aert (1200), Tadej Pogačar (1200), Dylan Van Baarle (400), Mads Pedersen (1000), Matej Mohorič (800), Christophe Laporte (800), Stefan Küng (1000), Biniam Girmay (600), Yves Lampaert (400), Jasper Stuyven (600), Anthony Turgis (400), Valentin Madouas (400), Matteo Trentin (600), Florian Vermeersch (200), Sep Vanmarcke (200).
Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields ME
Route: Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields covers a monumental distance of 261 km, but it is the flattest of these races and the best opportunity for heavier riders. The Kemmelberg is the most famous climb of the race and is climbed from both sides, Belvedere (0.6 km at 7.5%) and Ossuaire (0.7 km at 9.9%).
Favorites: Biniam Girmay (600), Wout Van Aert (1200), Mads Pedersen (1000), Alexander Kristoff (800), Matej Mohorič (800), Tim Merlier (800), Olav Kooij (800), Arnaud De Lie (200), Christophe Laporte (800), Jasper Stuyven (600), Giacomo Nizzolo (600), Matteo Trentin (600), Sep Vanmarcke (200).
Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields WE
Route: The women's Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields race features a 162 km route with 798 meters of climbing, also with the Kemmelberg as the most prominent climb. Like the men's race, it suits strong sprinters.
Favorites: Lorena Wiebes (1200), Lotte Kopecky (1000), Elisa Balsamo (1000), Emma Norsgaard (1000), Grace Brown (800), Marta Bastianelli (800), Lucinda Brand (800), Maria Giulia Confalonieri (600), Charlotte Kool (400), Chiara Consonni (600), Anna Henderson (600), Shirin Van Anrooij (400).
Dwars Door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre ME
Route: 183 km and 1437 meters of elevation gain are the figures of a race that accumulates the majority of cobbled sectors in the final part of the race.
Favorites: Mads Pedersen (1000), Dylan Van Baarle (400), Alberto Bettiol (400), Mads Pedersen (1000), Tadej Pogačar (1200), Julian Alaphilippe (1000), Stefan Küng (1000), Alexander Kristoff (800), Matteo Trentin (600), Magnus Sheffield (400), Tiesj Benoot (400), Tim Wellens (400), Valentin Madouas (400).
Dwars Door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre WE
Route: The women's Dwars Door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre is not part of the Women's WorldTour and therefore is not included in the combined cobblestones classification in the application. However, the 114-kilometer race features 8 cobbled sectors, so favorites should be sought among specialists in this terrain.
Favorites: Marta Bastianelli (800), Demi Vollering (1200), Marianne Vos (1200), Cecile Uttrup Ludwig (1000), Marlen Reusser (800), Floortje Mackaj (600), Liane Lippert (1000), Pfeiffer Georgi (600), Shirin Van Anrooij (400).
Photo: © Flanders Classics
