Though Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara and Spartacus’ team-mate Stijn Devolder have won seven of the last nine editions of this race, surprises can happen. Nick Nuyens is another former champion who could take the start line, though Garmin-Sharp are yet to confirm whether the out-of-form Belgian will be involved. Elsewhere, Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) showed he can be a contender with second at the Omloop and a top-ten finish at E3 Harelbeke.
Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Belisol) also enjoyed a good finish in Harelbeke, rolling in fifth, while team-mate Jurgen Roelandts has been in good form this season. Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) can never be counted out of the reckoning either, while Giant-Shimano’s John Degenkolb won at Gent-Wevelgem. Though the German’s victory came on a significantly flatter route, he showed an ability to survive the climbs at Paris-Nice and also finished among Cancellara and Boonen’s chasing group at E3 Harelbeke. If he can stick with the leading group, his sprinting ability marks him as a big contender too.
