The E3 Saxo Classic returns to Harelbeke on Friday, March 27, 2026, for one of the most demanding cobbled one-day races on the WorldTour calendar.
Often called the mini Tour of Flanders, the race features the Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg and a harder 2026 route designed to stretch the peloton even further. Below you will find every official way to watch live, including free legal streams and how to keep access to your home coverage while abroad.
E3 Saxo Classic 2026 Race Times
Friday 27 March 2026
| Timezone | Race Start | Recommended Tune-In Time | Estimated Finish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local | CET / UTC+1 | 12:50 | 14:30 | 17:15 |
Race favourites
Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is the defending champion and clear favourite. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) are among the strongest challengers. Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) is absent from his team's lineup, which shifts the tactical balance and leaves Van der Poel as the rider everyone else must plan around.
Other names to watch out for are Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-Quickstep), Christophe Laporte (Visma | Lease a Bike), and Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious).
E3 Saxo Classic 2026 Full Startlist
How to watch the E3 Saxo Classic
Broadcast rights vary by region. The table below lists official TV channels and streaming platforms, with pricing where confirmed.
E3 Saxo Classic 2026 – Where to Watch
| Region | Broadcaster | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
UK | TNT Sports via Discovery+ | £30.99/mo | Live coverage on TNT Sports; also available via Discovery+ streaming |
US | FloBikes | From $149.99/yr | Live streaming coverage |
Canada | FloBikes | C$39.99/mo | Live streaming coverage |
Belgium | VTM / VTM Go | Free | Free-to-air live broadcast and free streaming on VTM Go |
France | Eurosport / Discovery+ | €5.99/mo | Live via Eurosport channel or Discovery+ app |
Netherlands | Eurosport / Discovery+ | €5.99/mo | Live via Eurosport channel or Discovery+ app |
Italy | Eurosport / Discovery+ | €5.99/mo | Live via Eurosport channel or Discovery+ app |
Australia | Eurosport / Discovery+ | A$13.99/mo | Live via Discovery+ app |
Legal free streams
Velora tip: Some countries offer free-to-air official coverage of the E3 Saxo Classic. The confirmed free options are:
Belgium: VTM broadcasts the race live on television, and VTM Go streams it free online with no subscription required.
Mexico: Juan Charry's YouTube channel has provided free live coverage of cobbled Classics in recent seasons, though availability should be confirmed closer to race day.
These streams are geo-restricted to their home country. If you are travelling abroad on race day, you can use a VPN to connect back to your home network and access the official service you are already entitled to use.
Using a VPN legally while travelling
Broadcasters restrict streams to viewers in their licensed territory. If you are away from home on Friday, a VPN lets you securely connect to a server in your home country so your usual paid or free-to-air service works as normal.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Our editorial team uses NordVPN by choice, we all purchased it independently to watch cycling races wherever we are.
- 8,400+ VPN servers covering 167+ locations
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How to do it:
Download NordVPN, our recommended VPN for reliable streaming while travelling.
Connect to your home country (e.g., Belgium for VTM Go, UK for Discovery+, US for FloBikes).
Open your usual broadcaster's site or app and start watching as you would at home.
Velora never endorses bypassing broadcast rights.
A VPN should only be used to access official services, whether paid or free-to-air, while abroad. Always use legitimate platforms. Unofficial streams breach copyright and expose viewers to malware.
Why the E3 Saxo Classic matters
The E3 Saxo Classic is a WorldTour cobbled one-day race that serves as the final dress rehearsal before Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. Starting and finishing in Harelbeke, the 2026 route includes repeated ascents of the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg, plus a new E3-Col climb that adds late difficulty. This sees a much more selective course and will likely see the peloton shatter far earlier than in previous editions in a brutally difficult Tour of Flanders rehearsal.
Quick recap
Free legal coverage is available in Belgium via VTM Go.
Travelling abroad? Use a VPN to access your home subscription safely and legally.
Avoid unofficial or pirate streams. They breach copyright and carry security risks.
Watch the E3 Saxo Classic 2026 live, free where available, and securely, wherever you are.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Get NordVPN - Special OfferVelora only promotes VPN use to maintain access to legitimate, paid, or free-to-air services while abroad.
E3 Saxo Classic 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Cover image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com
