The Tour of Flanders is the second Monument of the year and tackles 266.5km of the toughest roads in the Flemish region of Belgium. The race is synonymous with the cobbled 'bergs' that pose the most challenging obstacle for the peloton. Among those are the Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg which constitute the final two climbs of the day.
While not the steepest climb within the parcour, the Oude Kwaremont is one of the longest at 2.2km long. This extended time climbing the cobbles often sees the peloton fragment as the strongest in the race begin to stretch their legs.
What makes this climb even more dangerous is the kilometre or so of false flat cobbles that lie at the top of the hill, allowing riders no time to recover.
The Paterberg is far shorter than the Kwaremont but far steeper. The 360m long cobbled climb averages 12% and pitches up to 20% at points. It is so tough that misjudged efforts and miscalculated gearing has even reduced the world's best professionals to dismounting and walking up this berg.
Three-time champion Tom Boonen climbs the Muur for the final time
Other notable climbs include the Kapelmuur, Koppenberg and Taaienberg which all pose substantial challenges along the route and can provide the platform for a race-winning move.
To hazard a guess at when the decisive move at Flanders will happen will be somewhat foolish. Take in to consideration the previous three editions and you will notice no trend between winning attacks.
Last year particularly put a cat among the predicting pigeons as Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) launched an audacious solo attack with over 55km to go, gapping his rivals by 50 seconds managing to hold on for a historic win.
Before that in 2016, Peter Sagan left it until the final ascent of the Paterberg with 14km remaining to launch a stinging attack on Sep Vanmarcke, riding in for the victory. In 2015, eventual winner Alexander Kristoff followed Niki Terpstra with 30km left.
What are the odds
It should come as no surprise that Sagan is the bookies' favourite to take a second Flanders title on Easter Sunday and this favourite status has done no harm this weekend as the Slovak took an impressive sprint victory at Gent-Wevelgem over the weekend.
Finding value in the triple World Champion is difficult with even the best value odds sitting at 3/1 (Ladbrokes). So while Sagan may be odds on for the win there could be little opportunity to capitalise financially unless you are willing to lay down a big stake.
Defending champion Gilbert is yet to take a victory this season but has been on barnstorming form, attacking at almost every one-day Classic he has raced.
At 6/1 (Betfred) there could be scope to lay money on Gilbert yet with his main aim being victory at Paris-Roubaix the weekend after, we would advise spending your money elsewhere.
Philippe Gilbert powers up the Kwaremont en route to victory in 2017
Where that money could be better spent is with Gilbert's teammates Niki Terpstra and Zdenek Stybar. Terpstra was victorious at E3-Harelbeke, the annual warm-up to Flanders, while Stybar has been vital in almost every Quick-Step victory this Spring.
At odds of 20/1 (Betfair) and 22/1 (Paddy Power) respectively, this duo could certainly offer the best value among the leading 10 favourites.
If Quick-Step Floors falter, quick on their heels will be fellow Belgian WorldTour team Lotto-Soudal led by an in-form Tiesj Benoot. Once tipped as the next Tom Boonen, Benoot struggled to live up to his billing until earlier this season.
An impressive victory at a mud-soaked Strade Bianche followed by a strong performance at E3 proves the young Belgian is carrying good form and at 14/1 (Sky Bet) could prove a well-placed bet.
Rather foolishly we overlooked Vincenzo Nibali at Milan-San Remo so will not be doing the same here. An each-way bet with odds of 50/1 (Sky Bet) could pay out if you are willing to take the risk.
Another risk, albeit more calculated, is that of Wout van Aert. Questions were raised over his ability to race over 200km yet these have been silenced with 10th at Gent-Wevelgem.
Snap up the triple cyclocross World Champion at 40/1 (Sky Bet) and hope he doesn't suffer the same cramp-filled fate as Strade Bianche.
As is customary when betting, a consideration to those deemed 'outsiders' has been given and we think we have found some very good value.
While he may not take victory, I reckon that Astana's Alexey Lutsenko could be a wildcard for the podium come this Sunday. With victory at the Tour of Oman already under the belt, Lutsenko has been in form this season and could do just enough to reach the top three.
The Kazakh has odds of 125/1 (Betfair) and is definitely worth a couple of pounds each-way if you fancy rooting for a relative unknown.
Cyclist takes no responsibility for bets placed or resulting losses. Always remember to gamble responsibly. When the fun stops, stop.