Tadej Pogačar has changed E3 Saxo Classic's status but it remains the best Flanders form guide – A closer look at the contenders for Friday's race

Tadej Pogačar has, according to *CyclingNews*, fundamentally altered the status of the E3 Saxo Classic. The upcoming Friday race in Flanders is now seen not just as a significant Flandrien test, but also as the premier form guide for the Tour of Flanders. This year's edition, featuring its usual breathless, technical finale crammed with cobbled climbs, will see a roster of contenders vying for victory, all under the shadow of Pogačar's previous dominant performance.

This elevation of E3's status is a direct consequence of Pogačar's 2023 victory, where his aggressive, attacking style transformed the race from a traditional warm-up into a standalone monument-level event in the eyes of many. His subsequent triumph at the Tour of Flanders cemented E3's predictive value. Now, riders like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert approach E3 not merely for kilometres, but as a critical psychological and physical battleground, the outcome of which offers a potent indicator for the season's second Monument.

Pogačar’s absence this year leaves a void, but the race's enhanced prestige ensures the remaining titans will still treat it as a dress rehearsal with very real consequences. Expect fireworks, and a clear pecking order for April.