Spartacus stormed to two equally memorable – though very different – victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix last year.

In doing so, he became only the second rider – after Tom Boonen – to win both races in the same year twice and is keen to prove himself against a fit Boonen this time out.

At the former, Cancellara blew the race apart on the Oude Kwaremont – attacking solo to storm to a comprehensive victory. Success at the latter was much more dramatic, however, with his track sprint to beat Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin) a finish that will live long in the memory.

Illness and injury over the winter has seen Cancellara stutter to a slow start to 2014, though he was the only rider to complete all three Middle East tours. Since then the Swiss rider has put in a strong ride at Strade Bianche – though he had no answer to Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) – and proved he is back in form against the clock with second on the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico.

Cancellara’s one-day season began properly at Milan-San Remo, but his gamble on the sprint saw him finish second for the third time in his career – reminding his rivals he is beatable if you can stick with him until the end.

Unfortunate to be caught behind a crash at E3 Harelbeke, Cancellara’s fierce effort to latch back on to the leading group, alongside team-mate Stijn Devolder, proved to be in vain leaving him with a point to prove on Sunday. Devolder himself is a two-time former Ronde winner and is the highest-profile support rider for Cancellara.

Fabian Cancellara – form guide

Tour of Flanders best results: Winner – 2010, 2013
Paris-Roubaix best results: Winner – 2006, 2010, 2013
2014 best results: Milan-San Remo – second; Strade Bianche – sixth; E3 Harelbeke – ninth.
Team (likely): CANCELLARA, Stijn Devolder, Markel Irizar, Yaroslav Popovych, Hayden Roulston, Gregory Rast, Jesse Sergent, Jasper Stuyven