Though not normally seen as a one-day Classics contender, Vincenzo Nibali stretched his legs in the late break at the Amstel Gold Race and clearly felt it could have come to more had there been more impetus from his co-escapees.

Two late climbs offer the chance for Nibali to earn a gap on the bunch again this time out, and given his superior descending it would not be wholly unsurprising if he were the first to hit the final ascent of the Mur.

He admitted his current form surprised him, and Liege-Bastogne-Liege may suit him better, but he is one to watch for certain.

Jakob Fuglsang offers strong support for The Shark and with his Tour de France preparations taking a step up – the Spring Classics are set to be followed by the Tour de Romandie for Nibali – now is the time to test his form.

He proved at Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2012 and Milan-San Remo in 2014 he is happy to attack at the one-day races, but he may be hindered by the fact few will want to take him the final climb.

Nevertheless, if he can earn a gap there is nothing to suggest the Italian champion couldn’t blast up the Mur to add a big one-day race to a CV already brimming with stage race and Grand Tour successes.