The romantics will tell you it’s already been written that Sir Bradley Wiggins will reign victorious in Roubaix, riding off into the sunset and departing Team Sky triumphant.

The realists, however, will point to the fact Wiggins is an outsider and despite his top ten in this race last year has not proved himself on the cobbles.

However, first place in the time trial at the Three Days of De Panne – ensuring he was victorious in the rainbow jersey for the first time since winning it in Ponferrada last year – followed some big turns on the front of the bunch to build up some good shape for his Team Sky swansong.

A crash at the Tour of Flanders was less than ideal preparation but the Ghent-born Englishman cannot be ignored when the peloton winds its way over the pavé to Roubaix on Sunday.

He proved himself against the odds 12 months ago, sticking with the elite leading group and the likes of Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara, and has built for this moment since renewing his Sky contract in the winter.

And if it does not prove to be the fairy-tale ending, Sky will instead look to E3 Harelbeke winner Geraint Thomas or Omloop Het Nieuwsblad champion Ian Stannard to end their hunt for a Monument victory.