E3 Saxo Classic
E3 Saxo Classic is the dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders — a 200km Belgian Flemish classic from Harelbeke featuring 17+ Flemish hellingen including the iconic Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, and Taaienberg cobbled climbs. The race typically produces the same winners and tactics that will play out at Flanders the following weekend.
Where to watch
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E3 Saxo Classic
Where the race is made
Who to watch
Narratives to watch
- Flanders rehearsal: same hellingen as Tour of Flanders, run a week before — produces the same favourites.
- Cobbled-and-steep terrain: 17+ climbs in 200km wears down legs over the hellingen-heavy closing 50km.
- Belgian heartland: roadside fans pack the cobbled climbs from dawn — atmosphere unmatched on the calendar.
Form book & lore
E3 Saxo Classic (formerly E3 BinckBank Classic / Harelbeke) traces back to 1958. Long considered the most important Flanders tune-up, it shares the same Flemish hellingen and traditionally produces the same winning profiles. Tom Boonen holds the record with 5 victories.
When to tune in
Decisive moves typically come from the Oude Kwaremont onward (30-40km from finish). Watch for solo attacks on the Paterberg ramps and the run-in to the finish in Harelbeke. Disable autoplay; avoid sidebar.