Peter Sagan missed out at Milan-San Remo despite a phenomenal effort by his team-mates to control the race and ensure it came down to a reduced bunch sprint. The Slovakian star was a mere spectator as Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) sprinted to success in style, rolling in ninth. But, second behind Cancellara last time out, Sagan has big ambitions for the cobbled Classics – competing in at all four this season and with victory in each a major target.

His team for Harelbeke will include Maciej Bodnar, Ted King, Kristjan Koren, Matthias Krizek, Alan Marangoni and Paolo Borghini. If they can perform as well as Alessandro de Marchi did at Milan-San Remo for Sagan, then the Slovakian will certainly be in with a chance. Keeping Fabian Cancellara in check will be vital, and if the race is still together as they hit the Tiegemberg do not rule out Sagan making a break for freedom of his own – a la Tour of Oman stage four.