After the luxurious weather conditions enjoyed on the fly-away races earlier in the season, Milan-San Remo’s cold and rain delivered a reality check to the peloton. And the freezing bergs of Belgium are going to deliver another over the coming weeks.

E3 Harelbeke contains 17 ascents in total on the 212km course, with a flat, cobbled opening section making way for the Katteberg and Leberg – both averaging more than six per cent gradients – in the first 50km.

The 1.5km ascent of Berg Stene – with ramps averaging 7.3 per cent – is then among the short, punchy climbs to be tackled in quick succession before the cobbled climbs take hold.

The Eikenberg – 1.2km at 5.5 per cent – and the Stationberg – 460m at 3.2 per cent – are first up before the punishing slopes of the Taaienberg.

With ramps approaching 18 per cent in gradient, the 650m ascent is only short but it is technical and steep enough to cause concern for those in contention.

A brief respite from the cobbles follows, with the Knokteberg, Hotondberg and Rotelenberg all offering short, sharp ascents before the Kortekeer – exactly one kilometre with walls of up to 17 per cent gradient.

The Paterberg, after 175km of racing, is another short but very steep climb before the fabled ascent of Oude Kwaremont – 2.2km at a modest average gradient of 4.2 per cent, but with more 1.5km of cobbles.

Fabian Cancellara blew last year’s race apart on the Kwaremont and could certainly try and so again this time out.

If not, there is one last opportunity for an escape with the Tiegemberg – the race’s final ascent – peaking just 13 kilometres from the finish.