E3 Harelbeke has been one of the Spring Classics since 1958, a one-day race contested each year in late-March in the Flanders region of Belgium.
In the 62nd edition of the race, which will take place in 2019, major changes are set to take place. A new name, course, and slogan will be implemented as race organizers seek to revamp the Classic with new sponsors coming in for funding and branding purposes.
ALTIJD...KOERS, which translates to "ALWAYS...RACE" will be the new slogan, as the race will also change its name to E3 BinckBank Classic to reflect the race's primary sponsor, Dutch brokerage firm BinckBank.
The course will still begin and end in the previous namesake town of the race, Harelbeke, and will largely follow the same routes as last year, however the route will exclude a couple key features of last year's edition. The Broeke and Eikenberg climbs will not feature in the 2019 race, as the peloton will begin the race heading east through Oudenaarde and Zottegem before looping south to Geraardsbergen and back through the city of Ronse. A new climb at Berg Ten Stene will be included in the 2019 edition as well that was not present in the 2018 edition.
Last year, Quick-Step Floors rider Niki Terpstra beat out teammate Philippe Gilbert and Greg Van Avermaet of team BMC to take the race victory, covering the 206.5-kilometer course in just over 5 hours.
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