E3 Saxo Classic brings bad news for Van der Poel in potential new showdown with Pogacar

The E3 course in 2025 consisted of 208.8 kilometers, starting and finishing in Harelbeke. There were 2,800 meters of climbing to be conquered, spread over 16 Flemish climbs. There were also 11 cobbled sections in the course, including the Katteberg, Oude Kruisberg, Eikenberg, Stationberg, and Oude Kwaremont uphill cobbles.

Next year, the start and finish of the 68th edition on March 27 will again be in Harelbeke, as will the next six editions. What else is changing? Well, the organization is deviating slightly in some places due to the introduction of a junior's race. “It was a close call, but both races would have intersected,” said organizer Jacques Coussens at HLN.

Because changes had to be made to the course, the organization opted for extra climbing. This was not necessarily a wish from the peloton, as every 2025 race with climbing is won by Tadej Pogacar. In 2023, under the old format, he finished third after a fierce battle with the winner, Wout van Aert, and Van der Poel. He couldn't shake them off.

Will he succeed in 2026 if he participates? The organization has included the climb of the Karnemelkbeekstraat in Ronse - alias the E3-col - twice, once in the final. We will also do the Oude Kwaremont not once, but twice, although from different sides. The second passage is the well-known one from the Paterberg. So, it's going to be tough.

Nevertheless, Coussens does not want to talk about a more challenging course. “The race is a total of five kilometers longer than this year and will also include slightly more elevation gain, at over 3,000 meters. But that certainly does not mean that the race will be spectacularly tougher,” says the Belgian, who will undoubtedly be hoping for the arrival of the world champion.