E3 Saxo Classic: Van Aert wins dress rehearsal for Tour of Flanders

E3 Saxo Classic 2023: The race in pictures

Nine days before the most important Belgian one-day classic Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) at the E3 Prize of Harelbeke ahead of the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and the Slovenian Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) through.

E3 Harelbeke: Test of form for the Tour of Flanders

The so-called motorway race, named after a former motorway, is regarded as the most important test of form for the Ronde, as it largely follows the same route. However, at 204 kilometres, the E3 prize is almost 70 kilometres shorter.

>> This is the route of the Tour of Flanders 2023

In defending champion van Aert, cross world champion van der Poel and two-time Tour de France winner Pogacar, the trio that is also expected to lead the race on Sunday in a week's time determined the race.

In the gripping three-way battle, van der Poel and Pogacar repeatedly decimated the peloton with attacks on the 17 poisonous climbs. The final selection from the rest of the field followed on the Oude Kwaremont around 38 kilometres before the finish, when Pogacar forced the pace. The trio worked together until the final kilometre before Van Aert was the fastest in the sprint. The best German was Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) in 13th place.

E3 Saxo Classic: Results of the E3 Harelbeke 2023

• 1st Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 4:44:59

• 2nd Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0:00

• 3rd Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +0:00

• 4th Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) +0:33

• 5th Ivan Garcia Cortina (Movistar) +0:44

• 6th Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) +0:56

• 7th Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious) +0:56

• 8th Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) +1:25

• 9th Sören Kragh Andersen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +1:31

• 10th Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) +1:31

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