With a startlist packed full of big names, it can be easy to forget that Jelle Vanendert (Lotto-Soudal) has finished second in two of the last three editions of this race.

Outsprinted by Enrico Gasparotto in 2012, Vanendert was then the next man behind countryman Gilbert last year.

With a strong team including Tony Gallopin and Tim Wellens – themselves both capable of winning this race, given the attacking qualities they have displayed over the last year or so, Lotto-Soudal have plenty of options too.

Indeed, Gallopin was fourth at De Brabantse Pijl and may take on the team leadership role in place of Vanendert on the day.

As ever, Belgium’s ‘second team’ are in the shadow of their more illustrious opponents but they have repeatedly proved they cannot be written off.

Vanendert has shown already he knows what it takes to compete with the big names at this race, and he will be keen to go one further this time out to record his biggest career result to date.