“To be victorious in these races you need very good legs, but also luck,” he said. “Everything went perfect for me.

“It’s incredible; winning De Ronde and Paris-Roubaix was a dream I had since I was a kid and watched these two races on television.

“That’s when I fell in love with them and now, having won both, it gives me huge joy. I can’t tell you how happy I am.”

Accelerations were frequent thereafter – Van Avermaet upping the ante on the Taaienberg, and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) leading a strong attack on the Kruisberg.

As the cobbles made way for asphalt on the latter climb, however, it was a kick by Nibali – marked by Terpstra – that proved decisive.

Terpstra pressed on alone shortly afterwards, and had surged past the three remaining leaders before they reached Kwaremont – Pedersen the last to lose the Dutchman’s wheel.

Sagan’s attempted counter-attack on the Paterberg – the final climb – came to nothing, and Terpstra was left to celebrate his first Tour of Flanders success after a number of near misses in the past.

Tour of Flanders 2018: result

1) Niki Terpstra (NED) – QuickStep Floors – 6.21.25hrs
2) Mads Pedersen (DEN) – Trek-Segafredo +12”
3) Philippe Gilbert (BEL) – QuickStep Floors +17”
4) Michael Valgren (DEN) – Astana +20”
5) Greg van Avermaet (BEL) – BMC Racing +25”
6) Peter Sagan (SVK) – Bora-hansgrohe – ST
7) Jasper Stuyven (BEL) – Trek-Segafredo
8) Tiesj Benoot (BEL) – Lotto-Soudal
9) Wout van Aert (BEL) – Verandas Willems-Crelan
10) Zdenek Stybar (CZE) – QuickStep Floors