E3 Classic
11:52 Harelbeke – 16:31 Harelbeke
Another check mark. Mathieu van der Poel filled one of the few remaining holes in his record with the E3 Saxo Classic. The Dutchman was the best of the best, but he also took full advantage of Wout van Aart going down in an unfortunate moment. Our compatriot seemed to bridge the gap for a while, but then he reached his limits. Jasper Stuyven won the race to take second place from Van Aert.
The 66th E3 Saxo Classic in brief:
- Key moment: At Paterberg, Mathieu van der Poel has had enough of running and standing still. He puts everyone in his place, but Wout van Aert kills himself by sliding into the gutter. What if Van Aart had not been arrested that fall?
- Van der Poel Tactics: There is no Jasper Philipsen at the beginning, and no rejuvenated Søren Krage Andersen in the Zone of Truth. Mathieu van der Poel was isolated and therefore had no other choice but to turn off everyone's lights himself. With legs like these, it's a little easier to find the key.
- Fan Art Tactics: Wout van Aert looked fairly even (certainly at Stationberg), but never fully committed to the attack. He seemed to speculate on the team game, but Visma-Lease a Bike was defeated due to bad luck (Dylan van Baarle) and a fall (Tisg Pinot). What not to ignore: The balloon eventually deflates completely.
- Today's team: Lidl-Trek survived the quartet after Traaiberg. Mads Pedersen attacked relentlessly, but in the end the team performance was rewarded with Jasper Stuyven finishing second.
No. on Tuizenberg
Tuisenberg. Boegenberg. The Stationburg. Repeatedly he gave a hungry person Mathieu van der Poel gives a demonstration.
The world champion was out of the bracket, but the stars were not favorable enough to completely break the group.
Wout van Aert in particular was a nuisance. In Triberg, he was still searching for the right words, but with the following revolutions, he stuck to the Dutch behind him like the other half of a Siamese twin.
Overall, the duo tied with each other.
Noise on Paterberg
The two high-speed trains did not make a long pair during their intervening training period, opening up horizons for outsiders.
Mads Pedersen and Auer Lazcano, among others, have tried ad nauseam, but their shaking has been fruitless.
Visma-Lease a Bike tried to clamp down on Van der Poel with its – relatively limited – numerical superiority, but this plan did not work either.
Despite all their prayers, Paterberg was cruel. Just as Van der Poel fired another shot, Van Aart slid into the gutter with his front wheel.
He saw the danger, but made the mistake of overtaking when he appeared to want to hit the rocks.
The rainbow bird is gone, the race is over. For a solo distance of 44 km.
Turning point on Karnemelkbeekstraat
Or so everyone thought. After the mental blow, Van Aert once again showed a tremendous ability to recover.
In the Oude Kwaremont he went alone to search for the Dutch soloist. Danger?
In a convincing fight he returned within 10 seconds. Until spring arrives on Carnimlbeek Street.
The shuttle in front was not launched, and Van Aart was no longer able to defend himself. He gradually saw all the colors of the rainbow. The hammer was now merciless.
He came across this man at the end of a grueling race. Its battery was completely dead.
Van Aert had to give up second place in the rain to Jasper Stuyven after a hard-fought race.
Related:
Related:
Stage after stage
Van Aert has to start the race from the front and no longer makes any effort: Stuyven is second, Van Aert is third.
Then we see Wellens, Jorgenson and Narvaez.
Van der Poel!
With a wall-to-wall smile, Mathieu van der Poel reveals his true joy. This victory tastes sweet. He was by far the strongest and deserved to win!
The last kilometre.
It should come as no surprise that Mathieu van der Poel wins. But the fact that he did it after 44 kilometers solo… he clenched his fists on the support car.
While everyone is longing for the finish, Van der Poel continues to move the bike like crazy. He flirts about two minutes apart.
Awesome!
They are all completely broken.
Jose de Quire
Van Aert and Stuyven
Is it all over with the No. 1 shirt? Van Aert straightens up and places himself in Stuyven's wheel.
Stuyven takes another shot at second
Van Aert has just arrived to get a gel. This doesn't look good. Stuyven senses his opportunity.
Group 3 collapses completely. Jermay passes first, Stuyven looks for Van Aert.
Van der Poel
Fanart at 1'33″
Jorgenson, Jermay, Stuyven, Wellens and Narvaez at 2:00″
Another 10 kilometers
Matthew van der Poel will soon become the third world champion to win an E3 race after Jan Raas (1980) and Tom Boonen (2006).
Mathieu van der Poel drives 50 kilometers per hour. With the wind in your head.
Renate Schuti on the motorcycle
Who qualifies for third (or second?) place? Right now, we're looking at Matteo Jorgenson, Biniyam Girmay, Jasper Stuyven, Tim Wellens, and Jonathan Narvaez.
Another 16 kilometers. The case appears to have been settled. Wout van Aert now has to make sure he is not caught by pursuers.
The leader makes his way between the doves to Harelbeke.
Commentators nod: “It's going fast now, but soon we won't be able to draw any conclusions.” “Partly because of this fall…”
The lone leader is encouraged by his team leader. Wout van Aert is now at 37 seconds.
Tegemberg
All snacks were provided. Matthew van der Poel picks up a nice coupon above.
But the most important prize will follow only at a distance of 20 kilometers.
“Subtly charming internet specialist. Avid writer. Friendly alcohol guru. Music ninja. Devoted social media fanatic.”
More Stories
'Jan Breidel could be haunted': Nicky Hain remains confident despite first defeat
What will he do with it? Peter Sagan will make his debut with Pierre Paget next week
With a translator who is now the transport man: Who is behind the “strong iron frame” of Club Brugge?