Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) has made a quiet start to his 2014 campaign, but the Swiss ace showed signs he was approaching top form at Tirreno-Adriatico with a strong ride in the individual time trial.

Milan-San Remo winner in 2008, Spartacus has stood on the podium in the last three editions and will be desperate to kick off his Classics season in winning style.

His aggressive style and descending prowess means he is capable of blowing the race open on the Cipressa or the Poggio and, as he lacks the sprint of the likes of Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), it’s likely to be his best bet.

Part of the late race-winning attack last time out, Cancellara ultimately had to settle for third place behind Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) but followed it with three cobbled Classics wins at E3 Harelbeke, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

If the race is not won by one of the leading sprinters, Cancellara will be among the favourites and a podium place is not out of the question even if he does find himself among the fast men in San Remo.