Race analysis, favourites, and predictions for E3 Saxo Classic 2025
The spring Flemish Classics are here. It’s true that the Ronde Van Vlaanderen is the queen of these races, but before that, three prestigious classics already delight cobbled races fans: E3 Saxo Classic, Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields, and Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre promise great excitement this week. In this article, we will review the routes and favorites of these races, while a separate preview will be prepared for the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.
E3 Saxo Classic: route and favorites
This race is the only one of the three that has a men's edition only. The route includes 1900 meters of positive elevation gain over 209 km. Riders will face 17 climbs and 11 cobbled sectors, with the Paterberg (0.4 km at 12.8%) and Oude Kwaremont (2 km at 4.6%) standing out in particular. It’s a race for cobblestone specialists.
Mathieu Van Der Poel (800) is the top favorite. Wout Van Aert (1200), Mads Pedersen (1000), Matteo Jorgenson (1000), Arnaud De Lie (800), Filippo Ganna (800), Matej Mohorič (800), Stefan Küng (800), Matteo Trentin (600), Oier Lazkano (400), Biniam Girmay (1000), Julian Alaphilippe (600), Jasper Stuyven (400), Tiesj Benoot (400), Anthony Turgis (400), and Yves Lampaert (400) are some of Van Der Poel's main rivals to watch.
Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields ME: route and favorites
This is the most prestigious of the three races. The course covers 250 km, bringing it close to Monument distance, but with a “modest” 1300 meters of elevation gain, making it the best opportunity for heavier riders and resilient sprinters.
Jasper Philipsen (1200), Jonathan Milan (1000), Mads Pedersen (1200), Olav Kooij (1000), Biniam Girmay (1000), Tim Merlier (800), Arnaud De Lie (800), Soren Waerenskjold (600), and Michael Matthews (600) are among the favorites.
Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields WE: route and favorites
The women’s race covers 168 km with 870 meters of elevation gain. Here too, resilient sprinters seem best positioned for victory.
Lorena Wiebes (1200) and Lotte Kopecky (1200) form a very strong duo for Team SD Worx - Protime, which also features Marta Lach (400) and Mischa Bredewold (600) as outsiders. Elisa Balsamo (1000), Elisa Longo Borghini (1200), Chiara Consonni (800), Karlijn Swinkels (800), Charlotte Kool (1000), and Elise Chabbey (1000) are some of the main alternatives to a win by the Dutch team.
Dwars door Vlaanderen – A travers la Flandre ME: route and favorites
At 183 km, this is the shortest of these races. The total elevation gain is 1100 meters, which also makes it attractive for sprinters. However, the race includes 11 cobbled sectors and features constant ups and downs.
Since it’s the last race before the Ronde, some of the Monument favorites choose to skip it (neither Van Der Poel nor Pogačar will participate). Jasper Philipsen (1200), Wout Van Aert (1200), Jonathan Milan (1000), Mads Pedersen (1200), Matteo Jorgenson (1000), Stefan Küng (800), Jonathan Narvaez (400), Arnaud De Lie (800), Magnus Sheffield (600), Oier Lazkano (400), Kasper Asgreen (400), Alberto Bettiol (400), Toms Skujins (400), Biniam Girmay (1000), Tiesj Benoot (400), and Tim Wellens (400) are among the favorites.
Dwars door Vlaanderen – A travers la Flandre WE: Route and Favorites
The women’s race features 9 cobbled sectors over 128 km, concentrated mainly in the final part of the course.
Despite being a 1.Pro category race, the start list is packed with stars: Lotte Kopecky (1200), Elisa Longo Borghini (1200), Marianne Vos (1000), Elisa Balsamo (1000), Marlen Reusser (1000), Shirin Van Anrooij (800), Silvia Persico (800), Puck Pieterse (800), Blanka Vas (800), Elisabeth Deignan (400), and Anna Van Der Breggen (200) are the main favorites.
Photo: © Flanders Classics
