E3 Harelbeke will be easier and slightly shorter in 2016. The number of climbs will be reduced from 17 to 15 and the distance will be reduced from 214km to 203km.

The plan is to make the race more exciting by making it slightly less hard. "From the first climb to the Forestier Stadium in Harelbeke, we want to create tension," spokesman Jacques Coussens told Het Nieuwsblad. It was also decided to make more use of wider roads.

The decision to adjust the route came after consultation with Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Peter Sagan. E3 Harelbeke will be held on Friday, March 25, and was won by Geraint Thomas in 2015.