Van der Poel goes solo to dominate E3 Saxo Classic 2026 in Harelbeke: a thrilling victory
What a race, mates! If you missed this year's E3 Saxo Classic, you missed one of those afternoons that remind you why we love this sport. We've just got back from the finish line in Harelbeke and I'm still buzzing. Mathieu van der Poel did what he does best: wait, strike, and leave everyone else in his wake. The 2026 edition will go down in history not just for the Dutch phenomenon's victory, but for the way he absolutely blew the race apart on the cobbles that matter most.
The Taaienberg move: a familiar script, but it never gets old
We all knew the race would explode on the Taaienberg. It's the unwritten law of West Flanders. The main contenders' teams had already whittled the bunch down to the bare bones, but it was Van der Poel's attack that made the difference. This wasn't a sprint finish surge; it was a sharp, almost brutal acceleration. Behind him, the chase was Herculean. Florian Vermeersch tried to jump onto his wheel, showing once again he's rock-solid on the cobbles, but Van der Poel's response was ruthless. The Lotto rider gave it everything, but the world champion was simply on another level.
The young guns: Hagenes, Dewulf and the battle for the podium
While Van der Poel was grinding out the kilometres solo towards Harelbeke, a separate race was unfolding behind him for the podium spots. And that's where I saw some exciting signs for the future. Norway's Per Strand Hagenes confirmed he's the standout talent at Visma-Lease a Bike. He never gave up, even when the pace in the chasing group went through the roof. Alongside him was another rider who played a smart race: Stan Dewulf. The Belgian from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rode like a crafty veteran, always in the right moves, never panicking. A small group of strongmen tried to get organised, but the leader's advantage was already insurmountable.
Here's who really made the difference in the scramble for the placings:
- Per Strand Hagenes: Managed his energy perfectly. When others were struggling on the Paterberg, he kept a steady rhythm. For me, he's a favourite for the podium in one of the upcoming classics.
- Florian Vermeersch: Tried a solo move to bridge across to Van der Poel on the stretch between the Karnemelkbeekstraat and the Varentstraat. He didn't make it, but the pressure he put on the others ultimately helped his own team. A massive effort.
- Stan Dewulf: Always in the mix. Never looked in trouble, read the race perfectly. His experience is still worth its weight in gold in these races.
The verdict from Harelbeke: Van der Poel throws down the gauntlet for Flanders
As they entered the Harelbeke velodrome, the atmosphere was already electric. The crowd had been on their feet for half an hour, waving flags, knowing that Mathieu van der Poel's victory was just a formality. The margin? Huge. The Dutch fans celebrated as if it were already Tour of Flanders day. With this win at the E3 Saxo Classic 2026, Van der Poel didn't just take one of the most coveted cobbled classics; he sent a crystal-clear message to his rivals ahead of next weekend.
When a rider wins like that, hands already in the air with a hundred metres to spare, there's not much else to say. He won the race, but cycling was the real winner with a spectacle like that. Now, all eyes turn to the Tour of Flanders. If Van der Poel brings this kind of power again, the others will be fighting just to see him. For now, we'll savour this afternoon of pure cycling, with the dust of the cobbles still in our lungs and the certainty that we witnessed something special.