The E3 Saxo Classic, one of many few WorldTour spring Classics which is not run by the highly effective organiser teams ASO and Flanders Classics, has prolonged its title sponsor partnership till 2027.
The cobbled Classic race, which this season falls on March 28, is an independently run occasion proper within the coronary heart of the spring season. Since 2021, the race has been sponsored by Saxo Bank, the Danish funding financial institution beforehand recognized for sponsoring a top-level workforce between 2009 and 2015.
On Tuesday, race organisers confirmed to Belga that the deal to sponsor the race, named for the Europe-spanning E3 freeway (now recognized in Belgium as E17), till 2027 with the choice to increase the sponsorship by way of the 2028 season.
“We are very pleased with this new settlement along with the individuals of Saxo,” mentioned race spokesman Jacques Coussens, based on WielerFlits.
“We really feel superb about Saxo. For us, it can be crucial that we’ve got a financial institution as our essential sponsor as a result of that offers confidence to our different companions.
“Everyone is aware of {that a} monetary establishment doesn’t simply make a dedication. That solely occurs when you can current a transparent plan and credible accounting. Our story of the E3 Saxo Classic is particular. In a panorama dominated by a small group of huge gamers, we’re one of many few impartial organizations.”
The E3 Saxo Classic, which was gained in 2024 by a 44km solo experience from Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), is one in all few independently run main races throughout the spring Classics season, together with Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Other high occasions are both organised by Flanders Classics (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Gent-Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, Scheldeprijs, Brabantse Pijl) or ASO (Paris-Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège).
Often measuring in at simply over the 200km mark and working the week earlier than the Tour of Flanders, the E3 Saxo Classic has a repute as a ‘mini Flanders’ and a key lead-in race to the Monument. Famous cobbled bergs, together with the Taaienberg, Oude Kwaremont, and Paterberg, fill the route.
Reigning champion Van der Poel ought to return to defend his title this spring, although he’ll face competitors from two-time winner Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease A Bike) and world champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
“The proven fact that world champion Tadej Pogačar can be at first with us could should do with that goodwill issue, however definitely additionally with the sporting worth of the competitors,” mentioned Coussens.
“We additionally keep on with our idea of ‘Always Race’. That is to say, a Classic of simply over 200km interspersed with 17 climbs and some powerful cobblestone sectors. And we are able to all the time depend on loyal sponsors and VIPs. We simply prepare not less than 60 buses with VIPs yearly and several other star cooks work completely for the E3 Saxo Classic on the day of the race.”
