E3 Saxo Classic 2023, one day classic, March 24

[Gratemans]

He might be the weakest but if those three stay clear the race is likely to end in a sprint. And he definitely has a decent shot in that scenario.

Huh, this turned out to be spot on.

 

[Lequack]

The moment that Wout knew he was going to win

 

[Unchained]

Great race and super smart jumps by Pogocar, yes he won some sprints this year, but when you are the company of those two, gotta try whatever you can because it was logical to think he would lose a drag race.. Really fun

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Lefevre is fuming right now.

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...

 

[Panda Claws]

E3: Any of the 3
winning would have been
worthy

Poetry

 

[Sciatic]

The order of the top 2 will be reversed in a week’s time.

Or even the order of the top three—a lot can change when there an additional 50 Km to ride than today.

 

[Sciatic]

Yes, but I think the longer distance in RVV and the fact that the climbs are closer to the finish will make things easier for Van der Poel and Pogačar there.

True, but we could also view this as Wout’s form being on the upswing since I think (even with getting gapped) he was better today than at San Remo.

 

[Nick2413]

Or even the order of the top three—a lot can change when there an additional 50 Km to ride than today.

I’m pulling for him, there could always be positional issues or a moment of weakness in MVDP/Wout

 

[Bolder]

The moment that Wout knew he was going to win

Chain-gate. I didn't know it was technically illegal - I see it like adjusting your saddle etc.

 

[will-10]

is that a new UCI rule? it's happened forever but I'm sure that the first time I've seen that it's not supposed to be allowed

 

[Lequack]

I think it's not allowed out of the car while driving.

 

[Oldermanish]

Hey, our boy Matteo coming 4th. Not bad for a newbie!

 

[dobrien]

Is it weird that after today I'm more sceptical about Pogacar winning de Ronde? I just feel like he needs to get away solo and staying away is really hard.

I can see where you might think that but the way I see it, at the moment tbe big 3 are clearly light years ahead of everyone else* so he's not going to have to stay away from Wout and half the Jumbo team, or fight against the now nowhere to be seen 'Wolfpack', etc

I believe Pog has more depth to his fitness right now than either MVDP and Wout and we'll see that emerge in the longer, harder race. And when it does, there are only two he needs to stay away from. Of course I wouldn't mind seeing him with a team mate deeper into the race..

*My wildcard is Mohoric; I don't think its impossible he finds another gear next week and if he does he's a spoiler. The guy is a beast.

Just my .02 of course; a week can change a lot and GW may tell us more.

 

[dobrien]

Hey, our boy Matteo coming 4th. Not bad for a newbie!

That was a great ride by him today; very active and not an anonymous 'under the radar' day. Super interested in seeing how he handles DeRonde. If he can reign in that youthful exuberance, follow, follow, follow, and get to the finale with the big guns I think he's got the form to do something special.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I think it's not allowed out of the car while driving.

It's cheating. Against the rules to clean the chain likd that outside the moving car. But they turn a blind eye because it's a Belgian star on a Belgian race . Who knows what other lengts Belgian pozzato will go to to get another semi classic on his palmares after this, since the uci doesn't dare to stop him

 

[Lequack]

It's cheating. Against the rules to clean the chain likd that outside the moving car. But they turn a blind eye because it's a Belgian star on a Belgian race . Who knows what other lengts Belgian pozzato will go to to get another semi classic on his palmares after this, since the uci doesn't dare to stop him

Maybe hell get ride of the saddle on the last climb to save watts.

 

[jono]

It's cheating. Against the rules to clean the chain likd that outside the moving car. But they turn a blind eye because it's a Belgian star on a Belgian race . Who knows what other lengts Belgian pozzato will go to to get another semi classic on his palmares after this, since the uci doesn't dare to stop him

They turn a blind eye to everyone that does this. But now that attention has been drawn to it, it seems like there is no other course of action but to delete the rule.

Kristen Faulkner must be fuming, though.

 

[Lequack]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639309843315011585

View: https://twitter.com/OutOfCycling/status/1639309843315011585

 

[Poursuivant]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639201410939080705

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/JoseBeenTV/status/1639201410939080705

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Wout van Aert for winning the sprint.

Was great race to watch. A very explosive effort by van der Poel, Pogačar with a couple of strong attempts. Mohorič in great form. And a bit of lube for post race discussions.

 

[Oldermanish]

It's cheating. Against the rules to clean the chain likd that outside the moving car. But they turn a blind eye because it's a Belgian star on a Belgian race . Who knows what other lengts Belgian pozzato will go to to get another semi classic on his palmares after this, since the uci doesn't dare to stop him

Or they just change the bike....Less risky.

 

[Jagartrott]

I think Van Aert has an uncanny ability to 'hang on' in very difficult moments. Probably he is a bit less talented than MvdP and Pogacar, but his ability to suffer is almost unrivaled. Like in the Tokio Olympics on that brutal climb where he just refuses to crack and give in. If he combines that with the newfound cool he showed yesterday in the final kilometers, he'll be able to win more in these classics than he has so far.

 

[Barkintheeye]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1639309843315011585

View: https://twitter.com/OutOfCycling/status/1639309843315011585

That’s Commiment with a capital C. Love how Belgians/Vlaanders nurture their cycling traditions!

Sadly, where I come from cycling is shunned and viewed as an oddity only to be discussed in terms of doping.

 

[Lequack]

QS with one rider within 7 minutes and its.. Yves Lampaert! A rider who pedals backwards on the steep cobbles when Pogi and Mathieu accelerates.

Lefevre is fuming right now.

E3 Saxo Classic - Lefevere: "On the bus, I said what I thought"

. Route - Patrick Lefevere : «Après l'E3 Saxo, j'ai dit ce que je pensais»

On pouvait s'y attendre. Après une performance aussi mauvaise, ce vendredi, à l'occasion de la 65e édition de l'E3 Saxo Classic, Patrick Le

www.cyclismactu.net

As always. "During the E3 Saxo Classic, I had lunch at the Castor Restaurant in Waregem, two Michelin stars. The only thing that was good this Friday was food. The team's performance was below the required standards," he explains in his column at Het Nieuwsblad.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I think Van Aert has an uncanny ability to 'hang on' in very difficult moments. Probably he is a bit less talented than MvdP and Pogacar, but his ability to suffer is almost unrivaled. Like in the Tokio Olympics on that brutal climb where he just refuses to crack and give in. If he combines that with the newfound cool he showed yesterday in the final kilometers, he'll be able to win more in these classics than he has so far.

The by far strongest Wout I have seen is last year. I firmly believe he was the strongest rider that year, but he got sick, but actually managed to almost win Roubaix despite COVID. He's not that same rider this year I think, maybe half a level below, so we probably won't see him put in those hard accelerations... but hes still incredibly dangerous as we saw today.