E3 Saxo Classic 2026: Route

Friday 27 March - A ten-day-long Flemish cycling bonanza kicks off with the E3 Saxo Classic. Covering 208.5 kilometres, the race features sixteen hills and four cobbled sectors.

Published on 20 March 2026

In the first 100 kilometres of the race, the riders have plenty of time to catch up. With just three climbs and three cobbled sectors, the route does not pose much of a challenge at this stage. So the much-anticipated Flemish Cycling Week kicks off on a gentle note.

Just after halfway, the riders crest the Oude Kruisberg, which marks the point where things start to heat up. With the E3-Col, Oude Kwaremont, Hotondberg, Kortekeer, Taaienberg, Boigneberg and Eikenberg within 40 kilometres the E3 race certainly intensifies. A brief lull follows, but 13 kilometres later the Kapelberg already comes into view. Just 4 kilometres further on, the riders hit the daunting cobbles of the Paterberg. At just under 400 metres, it is short, but the average gradient of 12.9% make it a real test — especially with the cobbled Oude Kwaremont following shortly afterwards.

After the Oude Kwaremont, 38 kilometres remain. The next challenge comes 6.5 kilometres later with a return to the E3-Col, a climb of 1.5 kilometres with ramps up to 18%, although the average gradient of 4.9% sounds far less intimidating. The flat cobbles of the Varent and the Tiegemberg — 750 metres at 5.6% — form the final obstacles of the day. From the Tiegemberg, it is 19.2 kilometres to the finish on the Stasegemsesteenweg in Harelbeke.

Last year, Mathieu van der Poel turned the E3 Saxo Classic into a one-man show. He attacked on the Oude Kwaremont and soloed to a commanding victory, finishing more than 1 minute ahead of Mads Pedersen and 2 minutes clear of third-placed Filippo Ganna.

Fancy taking on the route yourself? Download GPX E3 Saxo Classic 2026.

E3 Saxo Classic starts at 12:45 and is expected to finish at around 17:30 - both local times. For details, see the scheduled times in the slideshow below; specifications of the climbs and cobbled sectors can be found in the file of the same name.