News | E3 Saxo Bank Classic | Gent-Welvelgem • March 26, 2025

UAE Team Emirates-XRG announce teams for E3 Saxo Classic & Gent-Wevelgem

Experienced line-up to tackle two key cobbled races

Some of the main fixtures of the Belgian Classics calendar begin to get underway this week, with two key World Tour appointments: the E3 Saxo Classic (28 March) and Gent-Wevelgem (30 March).

The E3 Harelbeke, now known as the E3 Saxo Classic, is one of the key races leading up to the Tour of Flanders and has traditionally attracted some of the best one-day riders in the world.

The experienced pairing of Tim Wellens and Nils Politt both delivered top-10 results at E3 in the 2024 edition and the duo will captain the rosters over the weekend in line-ups layered full of Classics pedigree and depth.

Gent-Wevelgem is often considered one of the more sprinter-friendly cobbled races with UAE having won through the mighty Alexander Kristoff back in 2019. The likes of Sebastian Molano will be hoping to survive to the line to dispute the win.

The teams will be led by the Sports Director pairing of Fabio Baldato (Ita) and Marco Marcato (Ita).

Tim Wellens : “ We’re really coming into the heart of the Belgian calendar now and you can feel the special atmosphere around. As a team I think we have made a super start to the season and our group of riders here can make a difference in these races. Myself and Politt were both in the top-10 in E3 last year so we know it’s a race that can suit us if things go our way on the day. As a team we’re really motivated and excited for the next few weeks racing here in Belgium.”

It was initially planned for Tadej Pogačar to participate in both the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem. However, after discussions with the team, it has been decided that he will adjust his calendar to focus on the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix instead, aiming for peak form in those iconic races.

E3 Saxo Classic [1.UWT] – 28-Mar-2025

Filippo Baroncini (Ita)
Mikkel Bjerg (Dan)

Antonio Morgado (Por)

Sebastian Molano (Col)

Nils Politt (Ger)
Florian Vermeersch (Bel)

Tim Wellens (Bel)

Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields [1.UWT] – 30-Mar-2025