Van der Poel Recon Ride: E3 Saxo Classic & Oude Kwaremont

Mathieu van der Poel inspected the course of the E3 Saxo Classic on Tuesday, riding the Oude Kwaremont alongside teammate Silvan Dillier, according to reports from Belgian media. The reconnaissance ride comes after Van der Poel competed in Milan-Sanremo, where he suffered a fall.

The Dutch rider of Alpecin-Premier Tech appeared unhindered by any lingering effects from the crash as he assessed the challenging terrain of the E3 Saxo Classic. Florian Vermeersch of UAE Team Emirates was also observed training on the famed cobblestone climb.

The E3 Saxo Classic is a key one-day race in the spring classics season, and the Oude Kwaremont is a particularly decisive section of the course, set to be ridden twice during Friday’s race. Van der Poel’s presence suggests he intends to be a major contender despite his recent misfortune in Italy.

Notably absent from the field, according to recent reports, are several top cyclists including Tadej Pogačar, Filippo Ganna, Wout van Aert, and Tom Pidcock. This absence potentially elevates Van der Poel’s chances in the race, though he will still face stiff competition from other contenders.

Van der Poel recently spoke about his condition following the Tour of Flanders, stating he was “already on the limit from quite far” but content with his podium finish, indicating a high level of physical exertion even in races where he doesn’t achieve outright victory. His proactive course reconnaissance suggests a determined effort to prepare for the E3 Saxo Classic and maximize his performance.

The Alpecin Cycling team recently highlighted Van der Poel’s dedication in an interview following the Cyclo-cross World Championship in Hulst, emphasizing his commitment to rigorous preparation and analysis of race conditions.