Fifth at the Amstel Gold Race for a second consecutive year would be considered a great result for many riders, but the standards which Michal Kwiatkowski has set this season means many are expecting a strong response from Omega Pharma-Quickstep this time out. The Polish champion carries the Belgian super team’s hopes and will again enjoy strong support from the likes of Jan Bakelants and Wout Poels.

Whenever the team have missed out so far this season, their response has been phenomenal – see Tom Boonen at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Niki Terpstra at Paris-Roubaix for example. And Kwiatkowski – whose climbing legs are undoubted and whose form has been very impressive – is easily capable of adding to the list of memorable OPQS wins this season. A perennial contender at the Tour of the Basque Country, Kwiatkowski looks a good bet for at least a podium place – but you can guarantee Omega Pharma-Quickstep will be going flat out for the top step.