Alexander Kristoff is no longer just a dark horse and possible top-ten contender at these races, he is the form man and the one to watch this year.

The Norwegian, following his Tour of Flanders’ triumph, now has nine victories to his name this season – ten if you include overall success at the Three Days of De Panne.

He also looked in great shape at Milan-San Remo, only to fade in the final sprint after some great work from team-mate Luca Paolini to set it up.

Since La Primavera, however, Kristoff has been riding better and better and – while he would back himself in a sprint finish in Roubaix – he has proved himself equally capable of attacking too.

He was the only man able to match Terpstra’s acceleration at the Tour of Flanders – from which he reaped the rewards in the final sprint – and he also won at De Panne from the break too.

Both he and Paolini have been in great form so far this spring, and both are likely to play a big part in proceedings on Sunday.

Kristoff’s record at Roubaix is less impressive than over the cobbled climbs – something he had admitted himself, saying he is less keen on the flat cobbles.

But a top-ten finish two years ago shows he is capable of sticking at the sharp end, and if he can continue his glittering form it is hard to look beyond him.