Fabian Cancellara: I did what I could to defend my E3 title

Defending champion finished ninth after being delayed behind a crash in the final 40 kilometres.

Fabian Cancellara and Luca Paolini in the 2014 E3 Harelbeke

(Image credit: Watson)

Fabian Cancellara said he did all he could in his unsuccessful attempt to defend his title at this afternoon's E3 Harelbeke in Belgium.

The Trek Factory Racing rider finished ninth, 80 seconds behind winner Peter Sagan, after being delayed in a crash on the approach to the Paterberg climb with 37 kilometres remaining.

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.