Van der Poel to Defend E3 Saxo Classic Title Despite Hand Injury

Despite lingering discomfort from a hand injury sustained in a crash during Milan-San Remo last Saturday, Mathieu van der Poel is expected to compete in Wednesday’s E3 Saxo Classic, aiming to defend his title. The crash, which occurred with 32km remaining, left the Dutch rider with cuts and abrasions, prompting concerns about his participation in the crucial spring classic.

Van der Poel was among several riders involved in the incident near Imperia, including Tadej Pogačar and Wout van Aert. While Pogačar was able to rejoin the peloton and ultimately win the race, Van der Poel reportedly struggled, stating he “could barely hold his handlebars” after the fall.

Teammate Silvan Dillier confirmed that Van der Poel is still feeling the effects of the injury, but remains committed to leading the Alpecin-Premier Tech team at the E3. “The hand is kind of okay,” Dillier told Cyclingnews following a course reconnaissance on Tuesday. “I consider he still… he definitely feels it. If it bothers him too much in a race situation, I don’t know, but when he’s at the start line in E3 he will be our leader, for sure, no doubt.”

Adding to the intrigue, Van der Poel was observed testing a recent handlebar setup during the team’s reconnaissance of the E3 course, which includes challenging climbs like the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg. Canyon, his bike sponsor, has been teasing a revised cockpit design in recent weeks, differing significantly from the setup Van der Poel has used previously. However, he reverted to his familiar handlebars later in the day, leaving it unclear whether he will utilize the new system during the race.

The E3 Saxo Classic serves as a key preparation race for the upcoming Tour of Flanders, often referred to as a “mini Tour of Flanders” due to its similar terrain. Pogačar’s victory at Milan-San Remo came after he himself crashed earlier in the race, demonstrating his resilience and ability to overcome adversity. He ultimately outsprinted Tom Pidcock to claim the win, with Van der Poel finishing further back.