Tour of Flanders 2014

Belgium grinds to a halt on Sunday as some of the toughest riders in cycling do battle at the legendary Tour of Flanders.

The favourites

Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing)
Spartacus is a two-time winner of the race and returns as the defending champion, having got the better of Peter Sagan in the 2013 edition. The Swiss maestro is yet to claim a Classics win this year, but he is nevertheless in good form and often saves his best performances for the biggest races. Peter Sagan (Cannondale)
The Slovak is a podium machine and it seems unfeasible that he won't be in the mix at the end of the race. He already has one win, one second and one third to his name already in one-day races in 2014, and will be determined to avenge his defeat to Cancellara in last year's edition. Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step)
The Belgian is a three-time winner of the Tour of Flanders but is arguably the outsider of the "Big Three". He injured his hand at Dwars Door Vlaanderen last week and was in so much pain he shed tears. However, that didn't stop him sprinting to fifth place at Gent-Wevelgem, so he might not be as incapacitated as he is letting on.

The outsiders

Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step)
If things don't work out for Boonen, Quick-Step will turn to the in-form Terpstra, who has already won Dwars Door Vlaanderen and finished second at E3 Harelbeke so far in the cobbled Classics. Even if Boonen's chances don't crumble, the Dutchman could have a significant say in proceedings. Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin)
The Belgian is rapidly turning into the nearly man of the Classics. His defeat to Cancellara at Paris-Roubaix last year has been followed up by four top-five finishes already in one-day races so far this year. However, many commentators suggest a big win is just around the corner and the Tour of Flanders could well be it. Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)
With Ian Stannard out injured, Team Sky's focus shifts to Thomas, who has been in impressive form so far this year. He forced the decisive breakaway at E3 Harelbeke and although he could only sprint to third, that display proved he has what it takes to challenge for victory in Flanders. Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step)
Quick-Step not only have a Plan B, but also a Plan C in the form of the excellent Stybar. A powerful rider with a swift turn of speed, the Czech showed he can handle cobbles with a sixth-place finish at Paris-Roubaix last year. Stijn Devolder (Trek Factory Racing): The veteran Belgian has to play second fiddle to Cancellara, but as a two-time winner of De Ronde, he knows how to tackle the race and, more importantly, knows how to win. He doesn't have great form, but is likely to rise to the occasion.

Past winners

2013: Fabian Cancellara (Swi)
2012: Tom Boonen (Bel)
2011: Nick Nuyens (Bel)
2010: Fabian Cancellara (Swi)
2009: Stijn Devolder (Bel)
2008: Stijn Devolder (Bel)
2007: Alessandro Ballan (Ita)
2006: Tom Boonen (Bel)
2005: Tom Boonen (Bel)
2004: Steffen Westermann (Swi)

Brit watch

Alex Dowsett (Movistar)
David Millar (Garmin-Sharp)
Luke Rowe (Team Sky)
Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)
Scott Thwaites (NetApp-Endura)
Sir Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky)