E3 Saxo Bank Classic

Swiss youngster (23rd) sought to keep contenders' pace into early break with Lluís Mas; Spaniard goes on the attack before decisive moments at 'mini-Ronde'.

It was a collective display from Deceuninck-Quick Step at the 2021 E3 Harelbeke, with Danish champion Kasper Asgreen taking the victory with great legs and team strategy while Florian Sénechal (2nd) bested Mathieu van der Poel (AFC, 3rd) at the pursuit group’s sprint. The so-called ‘mini-Ronde van Vlaanderen’ had, in turn, the Movistar Team trying to anticipate the moves of the main favourites by getting into the early attacks.

Lluís Mas and Johan Jacobs were part of the 12-man early escape, which, just like at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, was used by the Swiss youngster to try and stick to the top riders’ wheels as they charged near the end. Jacobs would end up being the top Movistar Team performer at his adoptive land, 23rd at nearly three minutes, just ahead of Iván García Cortina, who suffered several ups and downs -was caught by a DQT-induced split before the Kortekeer; made it back; attacked; then lost contact at the Paterberg with a near–rash- that prevented him from finishing better than 27th.

The Movistar Team will be back on the cobblestones with another WorldTour event, Gent-Wevelgem, on Sunday.

Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto