E3 Saxo Classic 2026: Van der Poel puts on a masterclass in Harelbeke with a thrilling solo victory
What a race, folks! 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 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 for dust. The 2026 edition will go down in the history books not just for the Dutchman’s victory, but for the way he single-handedly tore the race apart on the cobbles that really matter.
The Taaienberg move: a familiar script, but always magical
We all knew the race would explode on the Taaienberg. It’s an unwritten rule in West Flanders. The peloton had already been whittled down to the bone by the big teams, but it was Van der Poel’s attack that made the difference. Not a sprint, but a brutal, searing 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 ruthless. The Lotto rider gave it everything, but the world champion was simply riding on another level.
The young lions: Hagenes, Dewulf and the fight 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 things for the future. Norway’s Per Strand Hagenes confirmed he’s the rawest talent at Visma-Lease a Bike. He never gave up, even when the pace ramped up in the chasing group. Alongside him, another rider who played it smart: Stan Dewulf. The Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale man rode like a seasoned fox, always in the right moves and never panicking. A group of strongmen tried to reorganise alongside them, but the leader’s advantage was already unassailable.
Here’s who really made the difference in the battle for the minor places:
- Per Strand Hagenes: Managed his energy perfectly. While others were cracking 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 bid to bridge across to Van der Poel on the stretch between the Karnemelkbeekstraat and the Varentstraat. He didn’t make it, but he put so much pressure on the others that it ended up playing into his own team’s hands. A giant.
- Stan Dewulf: Always in the thick of it. Never looked troubled, read the race perfectly. Experience still counts for so much in these events.
The verdict from 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. The crowd had been on their feet for half an hour, waving flags, because they knew Mathieu van der Poel’s triumph was a formality. The margin? Generous. The Dutch fans celebrated as if it was already Tour of Flanders day. With this victory at the E3 Saxo Classic 2026, Van der Poel hasn’t just bagged one of the most coveted Classics on the cobbles, he’s sent a crystal-clear warning to his rivals ahead of next weekend.
When a rider wins like that, arms already raised on the finish line 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 be lucky just to see his wheel. For now, we’re savouring this afternoon of pure cycling, with the cobble dust still in our lungs and the certainty that we’ve witnessed something special.