Pogačar holds leadership in Catalunya as team strikes double top-10 in E3

There was an epic battle in one of the first big cobbled classics of the year, with Tim Wellens (4th) and Nils Politt (7th) both right in the mix at E3 Saxo Classic in Belgium.

The race was run under tough rainy conditions as the attacking opened up inside the final 80km with the in-form Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) going solo to take victory. Wellens was in the third chasing group who sprinted it out for fourth behind the duo of Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) and Wout Van Aert (Visma LAB).

In Catalunya Pogačar and the team successfully defended the leadership on stage 5 as Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the sprint from a reduced group finish. The Emirati squad continue to lead the race with an advantage of 2’27” ahead of tomorrow’s queen stage from Berga to Queralt (154.7km).

Pogačar: “I think it was one of the hardest of all stages until now – it was one of the most attacking-wise. We had exciting racing until the final, and I’m happy it’s over. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s stage.  There are very steep climbs and a lot of climbing in a short period of time. It’s going to be really aggressive from the start, and a lot can happen.“

In Italy, Diego Ulissi took 6th place on stage 4 of Coppi e Bartali in Italy on a lumpy day starting and finishing in Brisighella (150.7km). The day was won by Archie Ryan (EF Education First).

E3 Saxo Classic Results

1.Mathieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 4:39:28

2.Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) +1’31”

3.Wout Van Aert (Visma LAB) +1’34”

4.Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates) +1’48”

7.Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates) +2’48”

Volta Catalunya GC after stage 5

1.Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 20:54:36

2.Mikel Landa (Soudal Quickstep) +2’27”

3.Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) +2’55”