Cycling: On Friday the E59 Harelbeke will take place for the 3th time. With its demanding and selective route, long cobblestone sections and a top-class starting field, the one-day race used to be something like the dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders taking place a week later for many drivers. Some route changes could slightly alter the characteristics of this year's event.
Actually since its premiere in 1958, the E3 Harelbeke has been considered a mini version of the Tour of Flanders, which takes place the week after. For all drivers who want to play a role at the notorious Monument, the one-day race in the previous week is traditionally an important barometer of form. This is not only due to the route, which is quite similar to the Tour of Flanders, but also to the very good field of drivers.
Two drivers who are still active have left their mark on the one-day race in recent years like no other. On the one hand, of course, there is Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quick-Step), who won the E3 five times in total and triumphed four times in a row between 2004 and 2007. The performances of Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) were similarly impressive. The Swiss, who is currently in his last season, was able to celebrate three times – most recently in 2013.
In recent years, organizers and route planners have continued to fine-tune the already difficult route. Climbs like the Taaienberg or the Eikenberg are known far beyond the Belgian borders and are essential touchstones at the beginning of the Belgian classic season. The demanding profile combined with the often rather unfriendly weather has often made the expenses in recent years very selective affairs - usually after a little more than 200km a group of four or five riders decided the victory among themselves.
But this circumstance could perhaps change again this year: Not necessarily because the length of the race has been reduced from 215 to 205 km, but mainly because the number of slipways to be mastered has fallen from 17 to 15 this year. That could make the race more interesting again for sprinting all-rounders like Alexander Kristoff (Katusha).
E3 Harelbeke 2016: starters and favourites
Fabian Cancellara (Trek Segafredo)
Fabian Cancellara has already won the E3 Harelbeke three times and is in excellent form in his last season. At the Strade Bianche, which was also difficult, he won in a really impressive manner and at Milan - Sanremo he was doing very well when the chaotic final sprint and the fall of Fernando Gaviria robbed him of all chances of winning. Spartacus should be all the more motivated to set an exclamation mark in the Belgian classics - he would certainly lay the foundation for this with a fourth win at the E3 Harelbeke.
Peter SaganTinkoff
Unbelievable but true: road world champion Peter Sagan is still waiting for his first win of the season. It seems almost tragic that the Slovak had to cope with two second places again this season: Most recently he missed the overall victory at Tirreno-Adriatico by one second behind Greg van Avermaet (BMC). He was also unlucky at Milan-Sanremo: like Cancellara, he was only able to avoid a fall in the final at the last moment when Gaviria fell in front of him - but that ended the victory. The Tinkoff pro knows how to win the E3: in 2014 he won the sprint ahead of Niki Terpstra.
Greg van Avermaet (BMC)
Greg van Avermaet had a great start to the season. First he triumphed after a very strong performance at the Omloop Het Niewusblad and most recently he sensationally won the overall ranking at Tirreno-Adriatico ahead of Peter Sagan. Even if La Classicissima wasn't quite to the Belgian's liking, the track in his home country with its many paved sections and the tough finale should suit him better.
E3 Harelbeke 2016: TV and live stream
Live pictures from the E3 Harelbeke can be seen in Germany - how could it be otherwise - on Eurosport. In free TV on Eurosport, however, you have to be content with recording the last hour; live transmission is reserved for households that can use Eurosport 2, which is usually subject to a fee.
TV broadcast E3 Harelbeke
Eurosport 2: 15:00 p.m. – 17:30 p.m. (live)
Eurosport: 17:30 p.m. – 18:25 p.m. (recording)
On the Internet, the race can be done with the fee-based Eurosportplayer pursue. Anyone accessing the Internet from outside Germany can also access www.cyclingfans.com look around - there are live streams for different countries for the race.