Wout van Aert has won the E3 Saxo Classic for the second year in a row. Our compatriot beat Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar in a sprint with three. “I remember that I can also finish it if it is man to man.”
LOOK. Van Aert and Van der Poel greet each other after the finish in Harelbeke
With three to Harelbeke. What a race, what a podium. But one stood out at the Forestier stadium: Wout van Aert. “I felt that I was the strongest in the sprint. The three of us started at about the same time. I soon felt that I had the upper hand, but it was still a long way off. Luckily the wind was in our favour. I tried a few times with a short sprint against Mathieu and that was disappointing. I always try to learn, that’s why I already went 250m from the line.”
After all, Van Aert had to release on the Oude Kwaremont. “I had to watch out for the steepest part. On the flatter I knew I had to get right on the wheel. At the top I had a bit of a hard time again, but I was able to connect. I knew that was the hardest passage for me to stick with. After that I focused on the final sprint. I stuck to that plan,” says Van Aert.
The E3 Saxo Classic is our compatriot’s first victory since August last year. “I’m not used to that, so this is good. It seems that I now have to win the Tour of Flanders, let’s try that. What do I remember? That if it’s man against man, then I can win too. This was indeed a beautiful stage. Especially if I can be in the middle.”
Two in a row! Van Aert wins great E3 Saxo Classic after a royal sprint against Van der Poel and Pogacar
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.