Van der Poel Completes E3 Saxo Classic Hat-Trick With Dramatic 42km Solo
Mathieu van der Poel has written another chapter in his remarkable spring campaign, claiming his third consecutive E3 Saxo Classic victory with a breathtaking display of attacking cycling that left his rivals trailing in his wake. The Alpecin-Premier Tech leader's dominance at the Flanders semi-Monument now matches the legendary feats of Rik Van Looy, Joop Zoetemelk, and Johan Museeuw in the annals of E3 history, placing him among the greatest repeat winners of this demanding classic.
Van der Poel's timing was immaculate. With 42 kilometres remaining and the peloton still largely intact, the Dutch champion launched a searing attack on the Paterberg that immediately fractured the field. The acceleration was so sharp and so devastating that only a handful of riders could respond, and within metres it became clear that Van der Poel had found the winning move. Alone at the front with the wind in his favour and the kilometres ticking away, Van der Poel settled into a relentless rhythm that steadily increased his advantage.
Behind him, a four-rider chase group containing Florian Vermeersch clawed desperately at the gap, but they could never quite make significant inroads on the Belgian's lead. In the closing kilometres, with the finish line in sight, Van der Poel's vulnerability became apparent as the pursuers closed to within striking distance. In a candid moment after the race, Van der Poel would later admit, "I gave up, actually," as the gap compressed and his rivals sensed blood in the water.
Yet Van der Poel's experience and racing intelligence prevailed where mere physical dominance might have faltered. He managed his effort through the final kilometres with precision, holding off a furious late charge from Per Strand Hagenes to secure the victory. Hagenes claimed second place, while Vermeersch rounded out the podium in third, completing a day of drama that showcased the intensity of modern racing. The third E3 triumph places Van der Poel in rarefied company alongside cycling immortals and sets him up perfectly for the Tour of Flanders with back-to-back Monument confidence.
The day was not without controversy, as Axel Zingle was disqualified for a sticky bottle infraction during the race, a technical violation that highlighted the strict enforcement of cycling's rules. Nevertheless, Van der Poel's performance will be remembered not for administrative minutiae but for the sheer quality of his cycling—a masterclass in attacking racing that underlines his status as the dominant force in the spring Classics this season and a genuine threat for the cobbled Monuments that lie ahead.