ProTeam Jenno Berckmoes and Lotto-Intermarché ambitious for E3

# Jenno Berckmoes and Lotto-Intermarché Set Their Sights on E3 Saxo Classic

Jenno Berckmoes, in collaboration with Lotto-Intermarché, is approaching the E3 Saxo Classic in Harelbeke with high ambitions. Following a final reconnaissance of the course last week, which he undertook alongside teammate Luca Van Boven, Berckmoes secured the King of the Mountains (KOM) title on the Taaienberg, a clear indication that he is in peak condition.

His recent performance in Milan–San Remo, where he finished eleventh, has further boosted his confidence. “We were far from being among the favorites. There wasn’t even a small star next to our name,” Berckmoes recalled with a laugh. “But we still secured a solid eleventh place. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

As he gears up for the race on Friday, Berckmoes will be supported by teammates Jonas Rutsch, Luca Van Boven, Matys Grisel, Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, Sébastien Grignard, and Vito Braet. He has set lofty goals for the E3 Classic, stating, “I feel good, I’ve made progress again. I process everything better and feel stronger. The team is also performing well. In almost all recent races, we’ve been attentive at the front and put ourselves in the spotlight. If we get a bit of luck, we can achieve great things, I’m convinced of that. I really want to aim for a good result—a top ten, or with really good legs maybe a top five.”

Despite its reputation as the “mini Tour of Flanders,” Berckmoes believes the E3 Classic deserves higher regard, citing its challenging elevation. “While I think this race actually has more elevation per kilometer. It’s a very tough race, but I see more opportunities for us here than in the ‘Ronde’,” he asserts. “A few big names are absent. Moreover, I know this course like the back of my hand. This is my backyard. I know when to wait to move up, I know exactly where to position myself. As a non-Belgian, you can recon this race as many times as you want, but you’ll never know it as well as we know these roads. That’s a huge advantage.”

As the E3 Saxo Classic approaches, the cycling world will be watching closely to see if Berckmoes can leverage his confidence and local knowledge to deliver a standout performance.