Mathieu van der Poel has once again proven his dominance in cycling, clinching victory at the E3 Saxo Classic on March 28, 2025, with a staggering solo performance that left his competitors in the dust. The Dutch star, riding for Alpecin-Deceuninck, executed a remarkable solo ride of nearly 40 kilometers, showcasing his exceptional strength and tactical prowess in the Flemish Ardennes. Mads Pedersen of Lidl-Trek finished in second place, trailing Van der Poel by a significant margin of 1 minute and 5 seconds, while Filippo Ganna of INEOS Grenadiers rounded out the podium in third, finishing 2 minutes and 4 seconds behind the winner.
This year’s edition of the E3 Saxo Classic was particularly anticipated, as it marked the return of Wout van Aert to competitive racing. Fans were eager to see a potential showdown between the two cycling titans, especially with Tadej Pogacar absent from the race as he focused on upcoming events like the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. However, the race quickly turned chaotic with an early crash that took out four riders from Soudal Quick-Step, including Dries Van Gestel, and left Van Aert battling a flat tire.
Despite these setbacks, the race began with a fierce pace as a group of 50 riders broke away, leaving behind notable names such as Van der Poel, Van Aert, Ganna, and Pedersen. In a dramatic turn of events, Matteo Jorgenson and Stefan Küng found themselves in the lead group, quickly building a 3-minute gap over the chasing peloton. It was evident that the race would be a test of strategy and endurance.
As the race progressed, Mads Pedersen made his move on the Taaienberg with over 80 kilometers to go, launching an attack that only Van der Poel could initially match. Ganna, attempting to stay in contention, managed to return to the front, while other riders like Küng, Jorgenson, Jasper Stuyven, and Tim Wellens struggled to keep pace. The tension was palpable as the leading trio began to establish their dominance.
With 50 kilometers remaining, the gap between the leaders and the chase group widened, setting the stage for a thrilling finish. Van der Poel, exhibiting his trademark explosive power, seized the opportunity to assert his authority on the Oude Kwaremont, where he launched a decisive attack with 37 kilometers left. Pedersen, who had been holding on, could not maintain the pace and was dropped by Van der Poel, who surged ahead, leaving competitors in his wake.
Throughout the final stretches, Van der Poel continued to build his lead, reaching a staggering 1-minute advantage over Pedersen. His performance was not without its moments of drama, as he narrowly avoided a crash at a roundabout, showcasing his exceptional bike handling skills. Nevertheless, he remained unfazed and focused on the finish line.
As the kilometers ticked down, it became clear that Van der Poel was on his way to a remarkable victory. The chasing group, which included Ganna and Jorgenson, found themselves over 2 minutes behind, unable to close the gap. Van der Poel’s dominance was unmistakable as he crossed the finish line, celebrating his victory with an exuberant display of emotion.
Wout van Aert, who had hoped to make a significant impact upon his return, finished in a disappointing 15th place, unable to recover from the early setbacks that plagued his race. The day belonged to Van der Poel, who has now won every one-day race he has entered in 2025, including Le Samyn, Milan-Sanremo, and now the E3 Saxo Classic.
The final results of the E3 Saxo Classic were as follows:
As the cycling world looks ahead, all eyes will be on the upcoming Ronde van Vlaanderen, where Mathieu van der Poel will aim to continue his winning streak. With his current form, it’s hard to see anyone stopping him. The competition is heating up, and the stakes are higher than ever as the season progresses.
