Harelbeke > Harelbeke 208km

E3 is here, the start of a huge period of cycling in Belgium and France. Often referred to as a mini-Flanders, this is the first big test in Flanders for van der Poel and Van Aert, two riders who are approaching the race from totally different angles. After a hugely dominant CX season, van der Poel has been training over in Spain, and only returned to racing in Milano-Sanremo. Van Aert, who didn’t have a great CX season, has seriously slimmed down his own calendar, and has recently been up at altitude preparing for the next two weeks. Make no mistake, Visma have changed things up to do everything they can to help Van Aert win Flanders and/or Roubaix. After a brilliant 2023, the pressure is off van der Poel, it’s reaching fever point for Wout. Okay, time for E3, goodbye those who haven’t subscribed.