2026 E3 Saxo Classic Results & Recap
2026 E3 Saxo Classic is in the books. The final results and standings are below, followed by our recap of how the race unfolded.
Race Recap
Going into the E3 Saxo Classic, every prediction was that Mathieu Van Der Poel (APT) would claim the title for the third year in a row. And so it proved, although no one could have predicted the nail-biting finish that was served up in the finale, where Van der Poel was almost caught but somehow stayed clear to solo across the line three seconds ahead of Per Strand Hagenes (TVL), Florian Vermeersch (UAD), Stan Dewulf (DCT) and Jonas Abrahamsen (UXM).
As many riders had suggested beforehand, Van der Poel set about scattering his rivals on the narrow and cobbled ascent of the Taaienberg. Tim van Dijke (TVL) was the only rider able to go with the Dutchman, the pair soon joining a group of 7 riders who were chasing behind the breakaway. On the very next climb, the Boigneberg, Van der Poel attacked again and this time went off on his own in pursuit of the six escapees.
He caught them 20km later, as they crested the Kapelberg. They were quickly onto the fearsome ramps of the Paterberg, where Van der Poel powered clear again, Dewulf almost staying with him.
42km remained and for most of them it appeared that Van der Poel would cruise to victory. However, soon after Dewulf had been joined by Hagenes, Vermeersch and Abrahamsen, the lone leader's 50-second advantage began to fall. He was 37 seconds clear of the chasers crossing the final climb, the Tiegemberg, with 20km remaining. With 15km left his gap was down to 30 seconds, and still it kept dropping.
He had 20 seconds with 8km left, 15 seconds with 5 remaining, 7 seconds with 2km to the finish. In the final kilometer, the chasers had caught their quarry – or at least they thought they had. Van der Poel sat up, apparently to save any energy he had left for the sprint to come. Yet, as he did so, the four chasers, still a few meters behind him, eased off too.
Van der Poel seized his moment. As they dallied, he surged, holding up three fingers as he crossed the line to mark his third consecutive E3 win. He'd snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in an absolute thriller of a race.
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