The manager of the BMC Racing Team, Allan Peiper, says that Bradley Wiggins has the ability to win Paris-Roubaix, but the strength of his opponents will prevent him from doing so.

“I think he’s got what it takes, but no I don’t think he can pull it off,” Peiper said.

“It’s just for the simple reason that there are so many specialists there: Zdenek Stybar, Lars Boom, Niki Terpstra, Sep Vanmarcke, Greg van Avermaet. There are so many guys who have had years and years of experience in Roubaix and know how to ride that race.”

Peiper says that Wiggins can make the front group but he will be so heavily marked that he will find it hard to win the race.

“I don’t see Bradley stepping up to that level where he’s going to ride away from [the favourites] and leave them behind,” Peiper added.

“And if he is in a front group, he’ll be marked, that’s for sure. To be marked and ride away from everybody, you’ve got to be a Cancellara or a Boonen on your best day.”

However, he does have praise for Team Sky, saying that they are now a real force to be reckoned with and the current Classics squad is the best they’ve ever had.

“Sky have been building their arsenal of Classics riders and Stannard coming to the front in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and winning two years in a row has given the team confidence that they can put their power behind him, and they’ve proved it works.”

“I’d say Sky’s Classics team is as good as it’s ever been.”