Sandwiched between the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, Scheldeprijs (April 8) will see the sprinters come to the fore on a route which favours speed rather than the harsh cobbles which characterise the two higher-profile races which bookend it.

Indeed, for many teams at Scheldeprijs, race tactics are often a delicate balancing act between competing hard and keeping something in reserve ready for the ‘Hell of the North’ which commences four days later.

Team Sky head into the race with a strong squad of Bernhard Eisel, Andy Fenn, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas, Elia Viviani and Bradley Wiggins.