E3 Saxo Classic 2024, one day classic, March 22

[Lequack]

The old gang is back, fresh from Milano Sanremo. This time it's Wout's turn, as Pog is racing in Catlunya. He and MVDP will battle it out on the cobbled climbs.
For the last two editions it was Wout who has won it, can he do a hattrick?

Notable all-rounder: Wout, MVDP, Hirschi, Mohoric, Kung, Narvaez, Skujin, Wellens, Benoot, Bettiol, Tratnik
Notable sprinters: Pedersen, De Lie, Matthews, Girmay

E3 Saxo Classic 2024

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Home | E3 Saxo Classic

www.e3saxoclassic.be

Live video stream available on Eurosport/GCN alternative.

Full startlist (not yet final):

Startlist for E3 Saxo Classic 2024

Competing teams and riders for E3 Saxo Classic 2024. Top competitors are Edvald Boasson Hagen, Michael Matthews and Jakob Fuglsang.

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Map:

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[Sciatic]

Aside from the Big 2, will be interesting to see how the revived personages of Bettiol and Ala will do here, along with Pedersen, De Lie, Skujins, Jorgenson.

 

[fbjim]

Mads Redemption Tour begins today.

 

[Lequack]

Can Tratnik do a Tratnik and win another classic?

 

[Netserk]

* * * - Van der Poel, Van Aert
* * - Jorgenson, Pedersen, Van Baarle, De Lie
* - Tratnik, Benoot, Mohorič, Bettiol, Asgreen, Wellens, Stuyven

Dark Horse: Michael Matthews

https://www.oddschecker.com/cycling/e3-saxo-bank-classic/winner

 

[red_flanders]

I'll certainly be interesting to see where Wout's form is, and if his prep for the big races has paid off. He's been relatively quiet this spring.

Given what we've seen and general history...I would guess MVDP is gonna smash this. Wout would have to make a fairly startling increase in form to pull it off.

 

[Lequack]

I'll certainly be interesting to see where Wout's form is, and if his prep for the big races has paid off. He's been relatively quiet this spring.

Given what we've seen and general history...I would guess MVDP is gonna smash this. Wout would have to make a fairly startling increase in form to pull it off.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770851396063052255

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1770851396063052255

 

[red_flanders]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770851396063052255

View: https://twitter.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1770851396063052255

Ah yes, the magic of altitude camps. I guess he'll be firing on all cylinders.

 

[Lequack]

Of course, just like Vinge.

 

[Sciatic]

I'll certainly be interesting to see where Wout's form is, and if his prep for the big races has paid off. He's been relatively quiet this spring.

Given what we've seen and general history...I would guess MVDP is gonna smash this. Wout would have to make a fairly startling increase in form to pull it off.

If MVDP does put the hammer down from far out then it’s just a matter of Wout’s current form to keep up. But if there is more of a waiting game with a small group in the finale, I think one advantage Wout does have is having won the previous two editions, he may feel more content to gamble and let others in a group chase.

But that scenario is based on the “old” style of classics racing, not the current model of jetting away with 30-,50-, 80-km to go

 

[Samamba]

Rain moved up a bit, we should be getting a wet edition after all. Or at least the 2nd part of the race should get rain.

Visma to do the usual E3 tactics. Block the Kortekeer at the front, then go full on the descent and the run to the Taaienberg. Will be like 7 guys left including 3 Visma's after it.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

One guy is ready to play with the big boys once more (the times are not that impressive, but it seems like he and Romeo managed to drop Cavagna a few times during the ride).

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770827167061950700

View: https://twitter.com/AtlantaRouleur/status/1770827167061950700

 

[Sciatic]

One guy is ready to play with the big boys once more (the times are not that impressive, but it seems like he and Romeo managed to drop Cavagna a few times during the ride).

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770827167061950700

View: https://twitter.com/AtlantaRouleur/status/1770827167061950700

Would love to see him in the mix.

 

[Pantani_lives]

With our usual luck it will probably rain from Friday 17.30 PM until Sunday 10.00 AM, but one can always hope.

It probably won't be as aggressive as last year, because Pogacar is absent and because MvdP is also aiming for Gent-Wevelgem. Van Aert would probably prefer a final with a somewhat bigger group, given the collective strength of his team. Two years ago he won the Omloop just after an altitude camp, so a third win seems possible. Normally it should be between MvdP, Pedersen and Visma for the victory.

 

[Volderke]

Pedersen got mentioned 2 times above. Goes to show he's still overrated.
I mean, I already fear for WvA not being able to follow MvdP, so how should Pedersen end up any different than with a cold when the big guns fly by?

 

[Samamba]

Pedersen got mentioned 2 times above. Goes to show he's still overrated.
I mean, I already fear for WvA not being able to follow MvdP, so how should Pedersen end up any different than with a cold when the big guns fly by?

Cause he will get his rain superpowers.

It will be Pedersen and Wellens battling it out for the win. Those overrated riders who can't handle real Flandrien weather like Van der Poel and Van Aert don't stand a chance.

 

[Lequack]

Who organizes a race on a Friday.

 

[Blanco]

Mathieu Van Der Poel will rip this race apart already on Taaienberg, in the manner of the best cobbles rider of all time, legendary Tom Boonen. Only God knows what will happen after that...

 

[Lequack]

Where is the mullet? This is unacceptable.

 

[red_flanders]

Where is the mullet? This is unacceptable.

There, fixed that for ya.

 

[Breh]

Only one day to go for the yearly Balen Shake!!!

EDIT: Wait, what?! Still no Taaienberg???

props to netserk

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Wishlist for tomorrow: riders not on Jumbo nor named Mathieu van der Poel playing a big part in making the race. If not, it's going to be a very been there, done that kind of day.

 

[sam6]

I'll certainly be interesting to see where Wout's form is, and if his prep for the big races has paid off. He's been relatively quiet this spring.

Given what we've seen and general history...I would guess MVDP is gonna smash this. Wout would have to make a fairly startling increase in form to pull it off.

Wout did win KBK in a long 3 man breakaway and won the sprint for third from the bunch having been in a breakaway all day at Omloop, having thrown the race win away through idiotic tactics but fortunately for him got away with it because a teammate won. And also won a stage of the Portugal race. His form has not been bad

 

[Netserk]

props to netserk

Sadly, the gutter wasn't in play even in E3 last year. They massacred my boy.

 

[Sciatic]

Who organizes a race on a Friday.

Since the main Belgian race in a given week is on a Sunday, I like that there is a day between them rather than the back-to-back setup of Omloop/KBK.