E3 Saxo Classic 2023, one day classic, March 24

[Lequack]

The old gang is back, fresh from Milano Sanremo. Wout, Pog and MVDP (and Ganna) will battle it out again. Can anyone stop the savage power of MVDP?
Last year it was Wout and his pal Laporte who did a 1-2 for jumbo Visma.

Notable all-rounder: Pogacar, Wout, MVDP, Kung, Laporte, Girmay, Ganna, Alaphillipe, Mohoric, Benoot, Bettiol
Notable sprinters: Groenewegen, Pedersen, Gaviria, Kristoff, Cavendish, Sagan

Overview

www.procyclingstats.com

E3 Saxo Classic - The world’s most thrilling cycling race — always rac

Where pure cycling passion, VIP hospitality, and excitement meet at every kilometer.

www.e3saxoclassic.be

Live video stream available on Eurosport/GCN.

Full startlist (not yet final):

Startlist

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Map:

Profile:

 

[Samamba]

This must be one of the best startlists for E3 ever, incredible. It really is the baby Ronde van Vlaanderen now. Basically same riders, just a bit shorter.

And the weather is going to be miserable again probably. Lots of wind and rain. Spectacle incoming.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I like the length and gradient of Oude Kruisberg on the PCS profile.

 

[Red Rick]

I wanna see Ganna fly on the Kwaremont.

 

[Berniece]

Based on what Philipsen said it could be that MVDP is skipping the E3

 

[Lequack]

Based on what Philipsen said it could be that MVDP is skipping the E3

Tired of winning?

 

[Ricco']

Based on what Philipsen said it could be that MVDP is skipping the E3

The team confirmed him this morning.

 

[Lequack]

Well now he has to win.

 

[topcat]

This must be one of the best startlists for E3 ever, incredible. It really is the baby Ronde van Vlaanderen now. Basically same riders, just a bit shorter.

And the weather is going to be miserable again probably. Lots of wind and rain. Spectacle incoming.

Top competitors are Sagan, GVA and Kristoff : all over the hill.
Also, no Rog or Remco.

 

[Peyroteo94]

I wanna see Ganna fly on the Kwaremont.

Cobbles are overrated in Belgium. This a hilly race basically so Ganna will be a lot more spent than Pogi when they hit Kwaremont

 

[Nick2413]

MVDP will probably mysteriously have an off day only to destroy the field a week later.

 

[Samamba]

35 km/u average wind from the West... Rain all day long...

This could be into pieces already before the hills start. I am a bit scared of favorites crashing out and injuring themselves for further classics.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Should be close between Van Baarle, Benoot, Laport, Van Aert, Van Hojdonck and Affini

 

[Lequack]

They can cancel it like the Paris Nice stage that was windy.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Well now he has to win.

tbh i dont expect much. He'll be there or thereabouts but probably lose. I think of this spring he really wants to win PR as well. Even more than RVV which he already won twice. Expect Van Aert to get a win to boost his confidence

 

[Nick2413]

35 km/u average wind from the West... Rain all day long...

This could be into pieces already before the hills start. I am a bit scared of favorites crashing out and injuring themselves for further classics.

These kind of conditions take longer to recover from imo, some might take it a bit easier.

 

[Peyroteo94]

In these conditions, Pogi is the man to beat.

 

[Salvarani]

MVDP will probably mysteriously have an off day only to destroy the field a week later.

Or just doesnt dig too deep and save the legs for the biggest race.

 

[Nick2413]

Or just doesnt dig too deep and save the legs for the biggest race.

Yeah I guess that’s more what I was thinking, but mysterious to some

 

[Pantani_lives]

There is good news for us, lazy TV watchers; and bad news for the riders. The weather will be apocalyptic!

 

[theyoungest]

Should be close between Van Baarle, Benoot, Laport, Van Aert, Van Hojdonck and Affini

Poor Van der Sande.

 

[Valv.Piti]

As always one of the absolute best one day races of the calender, but this year it seems to be even better!

Cant wait to get early home and watch this race!

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1638918142419251200

View: https://twitter.com/Dalvoorde/status/1638918142419251200

 

[Bonimenier]

Fred Wright will take this one home while his nemesis will drown 1000 and some km south.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

In these conditions, Pogi is the man to beat.

Not against that JV team, he isn't.