Off-the-bike headlines are dominating proceedings at Tinkoff-Saxo, with Bjarne Riis gone and Oleg Tinkov growing impatient for success after just two victories this year.

But Peter Sagan remains a contender for the Ronde, particularly with Boonen and Cancellara absent.

Last year Sagan was seen as the man ready to step up and dominate the cobbles as the two rivals’ careers wound down and, while things haven’t quite run smoothly, he is still very much a rider to watch.

He matched Thomas’ acceleration at E3 Harelbeke for a second year running, but was found wanting – and how – when Thomas kicked for home in the final four kilometres.

He also missed the split when the major contenders went clear at Gent-Wevelgem – but both races can be cast aside as small fry if Sagan can capture the big one on Sunday.

Last year he was 16^th, after Cancellara out-thought him tactically during the chase, but having broken his Tinkoff-Saxo duck at Tirreno-Adriatico he returns to the Ronde a year older, and a year smarter.

It is still difficult to believe he is just 25 – he topped the youth classification at this year’s Tour of Qatar – and his chance will undoubtedly come.

Things have not run smoothly for Tinkoff-Saxo since he joined in the winter, but it’s no reason to suggest that chance won’t arrive on Sunday.