Mathieu Van der Poel reflects on pivotal Wout Van Aert crash after dominant E3 Saxo Classic victory - 'A crucial point'

ByIbrahim Mustapha

Updated 22/03/2024 at 19:43 GMT

The 2024 E3 Saxo Classic was decided in a single moment with contracting fortunes for the two favourites Mathieu Van der Poel and Wout Van Aert in Flanders, Belgium. The former, in control of the race, launched an attack almost at the same time his rival suffered a crash, giving the Dutchman the freedom to ride to a stunning solo victory. Jasper Stuyven was second with Van Aert third.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) reflected in more detail on Wout van Aert's crash after surging towards a brilliant solo victory in the 2024 E3 Saxo Classic.

Van der Poel overcame the horrendous wet and windy conditions in the first of the ‘cobbled Classics’ of 2024, which was pitted as another mouth-watering duel between the Dutchman and Van Aert (Visma–Lease a Bike).

But a blistering ride from Van der Poel, coupled with a crash for Van Aert on the 203km ride in Flanders, Belgium, effectively decided the outcome several kilometres from the finish.

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“I didn’t know somebody crashed actually, I was already attacking at that point because if you have the gutter it is way easier to make a difference on the Paterberg than when there are fences on it,” said van der Poel in his post-race press conference.

“So I knew that was a crucial point and also the hardest one of the race in combination with the Oude Kwaremont. So I wanted to attack but when I was on top alone a bit further they told me that Van Aert crashed and that I had 20 seconds, so there was no way back.”

Van der Poel would throw down the gauntlet with his first attack heading up the Taaienberg with about 80km to go.

Van der Poel gives his winning beer to delighted fan

Van Aert was in hot pursuit as part of the chasing group which included Mads Pedersen (Lidl–Trek), Jasper Stuyven (Lidl–Trek) and Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro).

World champion Van der Poel would continue to force the issue with two more attacks but his Belgian rival refused to release his grip.

Crucially however, the next Van der Poel attack on 43km came just as Van Aert went to ground on the Paterberg.

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This allowed Van der Poel to peel away and although Van Aert would, quite remarkably, haul him back to 11 seconds at one stage, the race was now his to lose.

As the heavens opened, Van der Poel pulled clear to take the win, eventually finishing some 1'31" ahead of Stuyven in second and Van Aert crossing the line three seconds later.

"The crash was all-important for the race," Van Aert said afterwards. "It took a lot of strength to fight back. When I went after Van der Poel alone, we seemed to be evenly matched for a while, but after the Karnemelkbeekstraat it was hard to keep up my pace.

"I was glad I was able to stay in Jasper Stuyven's wheel for a little while to make it to the finish."

He added: "It was an unfortunate crash, but it was a stupid mistake from myself. From then on, the whole race changed for me. It was pretty stupid: I wanted to jump up the cobblestones to gain some places, but I hit the edge of them.

"I actually fell harder than I thought, because I do have pain in my hip and in my elbow. My entire right side is battered, so we're going to get that checked out. The crash wasn't ideal, but Van der Poel was just super strong. He totally deserved to win."

Watch every Van der Poel attack as Dutchman dominates in Flanders

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