Take Alexander Kristoff off the climbs and onto the flat stuff, says former podium finisher Roger Hammond, and he could be a real threat. Kristoff’s fifth place at the Ronde saw him win widespread acclaim and the Milan-San Remo  winner could be a very good outside bet for Paris-Roubaix. Ninth last year, he has been a consistent performer at the cobbled Classics in recent years and a podium finish at least is certainly not beyond him.

The Norwegian ace profited at Milan-San Remo from a superb support ride by Luca Paolini – himself a possible contender – and the two remain part of a strong Katusha team for Roubaix. With high hopes in the form of Dani Moreno and Joaquim Rodriguez for the Ardennes Classics, a victory for either Kristoff or Paolini could set the rest of the month up perfectly for the Russian team.