The addition of the extra climb in the final circuit could throw the race open, and it may well be a rider who gets into a well-timed break who succeeds on Wednesday.

In-form Tony Gallopin – fourth and sixth at De Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race respectively – has been dropped by Lotto-Soudal, so they will be looking at Tim Wellens and Jelle Vanendert, fit again after a crash on Sunday, to do just that.

Two former world champions will also start among the contenders, with Rui Costa, having finished fourth at the Amstel Gold Race, leading a strong Lampre-Merida team.

Former winner Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) can never be discounted either but it could well prove that the change to the finishing circuit is to the disadvantage of the Walloons’ favourite son.

He is still capable on the roads he knows so well, however, and if not then BMC Racing have plenty of strength in depth – Tejay van Garderen and De Brabantse Pijl winner Ben Hermans are both set for the startline.

Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEDGE) boasts top-ten placings in this race too, though again he may find the extra late climb too much. Albasini’s supporting cast, incidentally, includes Great Britain’s Simon Yates.