Though attention has, unsurprisingly focussed on Cancellara, Boonen and Sagan, it was not Boonen on the podium last year, but BMC Racing’s Daniel Oss. Both Oss and team-mate Greg van Avermaet – second at the Omloop by the narrowest of margins – will consider themselves as being with a chance of upsetting the apple cart again this time out.
Cancellara and Boonen are also not the only former winners due on the start line, with Filippo Pozzato set to ride for Lampre-Merida. His Classics campaign was unspectacular last season however, and this year he has rode due two one-day races – Roma Maxima and Strade Bianche – without making any headlines. Away from the WorldTour teams, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) showed his form at Paris-Nice, however. The Frenchman finished ahead of team-mate Boonen in this race last year, while still at Omega Pharma-Quickstep. Granted team leadership at IAM Cycling, he could be another major contender.
