The E3 Saxo Classic, a key cobbled race on the spring cycling calendar, will continue its partnership with title sponsor Saxo Bank until at least 2027. The news was confirmed by race organisers to WielerFlits on Tuesday, with the agreement including an option to extend the sponsorship through 2028.
Jacques Coussens, a spokesperson for the race, expressed the organisers’ satisfaction with the arrangement, highlighting the stability that Saxo Bank’s involvement brings. “We are very happy with this new agreement together with the people of Saxo,” Coussens said. “For us, it is important that we have a bank as our main sponsor because that gives confidence to our other partners. Everyone knows that a financial institution does not just make a commitment. That only happens if you can present a clear plan and credible accounting.”
The E3 Saxo Classic, which takes place on 28th March in 2024, is known for its challenging route through cobbled bergs such as the Taaienberg, Oude Kwaremont, and Paterberg. Often referred to as a “mini Flanders,” the event typically serves as a precursor to the Tour of Flanders, falling just one week before the Monument.
The 2024 edition promises fierce competition, with reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel expected to return following his emphatic 44km solo victory last year. Two-time winner Wout van Aert and world champion Tadej Pogačar will also line up, ensuring a stacked field. Coussens remarked, “The fact that world champion Tadej Pogačar will be at the start with us may have to do with that goodwill factor, but certainly also with the sporting value of the competition.”
Unlike many other prestigious Classics, which are organised by powerhouses such as ASO or Flanders Classics, the E3 Saxo Classic remains independently run. This independence has been a source of pride for organisers. “Our story of the E3 Saxo Classic is special. In a landscape dominated by a small group of large players, we are one of the few independent organisations,” Coussens added.
Saxo Bank, a Danish investment firm, has sponsored the race since 2021 and previously supported a WorldTour team between 2009 and 2015. The race’s name pays homage to the E3 highway, now known as the E17 in Belgium.
Main photo credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images
