The toughest of the season’s cobbled Classics takes place on Sunday, with the Tour of Flanders – or Ronde van Vlaanderen – seeing the WorldTour’s hardmen take on Belgium’s iconic cobbled bergs.

After tantalising previews at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and E3 Harelbeke, the 99^th Tour of Flanders is the real deal – just shy of 265km of brutal racing, tackling climbs such as the Koppenberg and Oude Kwaremont.

Even with the iconic Muur off the route – this year’s parcours follows the same formula as last year – the race remains a thrilling spectacle.

And further intrigue has been added to proceedings this year with modern Classics legends Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) both having to miss the race through injury.

Spartacus won the last two editions – and three of the last five – while Tornado Tom is another to boast three victories at the race in all.

Even in the absence of two of the race’s most famous riders, however, the startlist is packed with talent.

So who will be celebrating come Sunday evening? We have taken a look at the leading contenders over the following pages.