Peter Sagan is considered the rouleur’s rouleur, but Alexander Kristoff is the form man – and he has previous at the Tour of Flanders too.

Fifth last time out, and fourth the year before, Kristoff is yet to make the podium but has come close and his form this season suggests this will be the year he goes one better.

Victory on stage one of the Three Days of De Panne, after bridging late to the breakaway, proved he is in top shape and took his tally for the season to six.

Second at Milan-San Remo and fourth at E3 Harelbeke, Kristoff has continued his rapid rise from also-ran to serious contender in the last fortnight too.

With the support of Gent-Wevelgem champion Luca Paolini ­– himself one to watch – Kristoff has slipped under the radar slightly in this race in the past as many see him as more of a sprinter.

But he has nothing to prove on the short, cobbled Flandrian cobbles and his strength and sprinting ability is undoubted.

If he is in the front group come Oudenaarde, you would not bet against the Norwegian securing the second Monument of his career, after the 2014 Milan-San Remo.