Orica-GreenEDGE are usually led at this time of year – and successfully too – by last year’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege winner Simon Gerrans.

With Gerrans still fighting to find form after recovering from a broken collarbone – sustained while training on his mountain bike in the winter – Michael Matthews leads the team instead.

A victory apiece at Paris-Nice and Tour of the Basque Country and third place at Milan-San Remo have proved his form so far and he is certainly capable over this sort of terrain – he was 12^th last year.

The key for Matthews, however, will be whether he can stick with the front group over the Cauberg.

But his second place at De Brabantse Pijl was certainly an encouraging sign on that front.

Should he do so, he will be the man to beat in the final showdown but it is a big if – particularly as his rivals will be unwilling to carry to him a sprint finish.

Gerrans, Michael Albasini and Daryl Impey are part of a strong support team, however, and if they can keep Matthews safe the 24-year-old stands a good chance.