'He definitely feels it' – Mathieu van der Poel tackles E3 recon with new handlebars after Milan-San Remo hand injury

Mathieu van der Poel, fresh from his Milan-San Remo victory, completed a reconnaissance of the E3 Saxo Classic route today, reportedly testing new handlebars. This development follows a minor hand injury sustained during his San Remo triumph. Despite the setback, a teammate confirmed that the Dutchman will still lead Alpecin-Deceuninck at Friday's E3, a crucial indicator of his readiness and the team's confidence ahead of the cobbled classics.

This news carries significant weight given van der Poel's status as a pre-race favourite for E3 and the upcoming Tour of Flanders. His San Remo win, while impressive, was marred by the visible discomfort from his crash, raising questions about his immediate form. The switch to new handlebars suggests a tactical adjustment to mitigate pain or improve comfort, highlighting the fine margins at play in elite-level racing and the lengths teams go to ensure their star rider is optimally prepared.

Ultimately, MvdP on new handlebars for E3 is less about innovation and more about managing an unavoidable consequence of his aggressive racing style. The hand might be a concern, but history suggests his rivals have far more to worry about.