E3 Prize - Van Aert wins dress rehearsal for Tour of Flanders

Top favourite Wout van Aert has won the 64th edition of the cobblestone race E3 Prize of Harelbeke in West Flanders.

The Belgian road cycling champion crossed the finish line arm in arm with his French team-mate and breakaway colleague Christophe Laporte after 204 kilometres and 17 poisonous climbs. Third place went to Stefan Küng from Switzerland. German riders played no part in the decision.

The race, named after a motorway, is regarded as a dress rehearsal for the Tour of Flanders, which takes place in a week's time on Sunday. In the past, many riders have managed to triumph first at the E3 Prize and then at the Ronde. The last time this happened was last year with the Dane Kasper Asgreen.

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