E3 Saxo Classic 2026: Van der Poel puts on a masterclass in Harelbeke with a thrilling solo victory
Folks, what a show! If you missed this year’s E3 Saxo Classic, you missed one of those afternoons that reminds you why we love this sport. We’ve just come back from the finish line in Harelbeke, and my adrenaline is still through the roof. Mathieu van der Poel did what he does best: wait, strike, and leave everyone else to fight for the scraps. The 2026 edition will go down in the history books not just for the Dutch superstar’s victory, but for how he absolutely broke the race on the cobbles that matter most.
The Taaienberg move: a script we’ve seen before, but it’s always magic
Everyone knew the race would explode on the Taaienberg. It’s the unwritten law of West Flanders. The peloton had already been whittled down to the bone by the big teams’ lead-outs, but it was Van der Poel’s attack that made the difference. It wasn’t a sprint to the line; it was a sharp, almost ruthless acceleration. Behind him, the chase was heroic. Florian Vermeersch tried to jump on his wheel, proving once again that he’s rock-solid on the cobbles, but Van der Poel’s response was merciless. The Lotto rider gave it everything he had, but the world champion was simply riding on another level.
The young lions: 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 promising signs for the future. Norway’s Per Strand Hagenes confirmed he’s the brightest young talent at Visma-Lease a Bike. He never gave up, even when the pace in the chasing group went through the roof. Alongside him, another rider who rode a smart race: Stan Dewulf. The Belgian from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale moved like a crafty veteran, always in the right moves, never panicking. Alongside them, a small group of hard-men tried to reorganize, but the leader’s advantage was already insurmountable.
Here’s who really made the difference in the battle for the placings:
- Per Strand Hagenes: Managed his energy perfectly. When everyone else was struggling on the Paterberg, he kept a steady cadence. In my book, he’s a favourite for a podium spot in one of the upcoming classics.
- Florian Vermeersch: Tried a solo bridge to Van der Poel on the stretch between the Karnemelkbeekstraat and the Varentstraat. It didn’t work, but he put so much pressure on the others that it effectively played into his own team’s hands. A monster effort.
- Stan Dewulf: Always in the thick of it. Never looked in trouble, read the race perfectly. His experience still counts for so much in these events.
The verdict in Harelbeke: Van der Poel throws down the gauntlet for Flanders
As they entered the Harelbeke velodrome, the atmosphere was already one of a major occasion. Fans had been on their feet for half an hour, waving flags, because they knew Mathieu van der Poel’s triumph was a mere formality. The margin? Comfortable. The Dutch fans celebrated as if it were already the day of the Tour of Flanders. 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, arms already raised with a hundred metres to spare, there’s not much more 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 have a tough time even hoping to see him, let alone beat him. For now, we’ll just savour this afternoon of pure cycling, with the cobblestone dust still in our lungs and the certainty that we witnessed something special.