The Big Three Teams chances for Flanders

Omega Pharma-Quick Step: with Tom Boonen a three time winner of the Flemish monument but under an injury cloud in 2013, the Belgian team will have a few options throughout the race. Boonen seems unlikely to defend his title from last year with sub-par performances so far this season. He could provide key support to Sylvain Chavanel by launching an attack and setting up Chavanel for a counter attack if necessary. The Omega Pharma-Quick Step team is looking strong as they also have Dutch national champion Niki Terpstra up their sleeve. Boonen could decide that Paris-Roubaix is his goal this classics season and allow the other two to chase a win. A win might be too much in 2013 but a podium place is looking likely

BMC: The star team is similar to Sky in that there are several top riders but little cohesion in their racing. Philippe Gilbert won’t be lining up in Bruges but with Thor Hushovd andreg Van Avermaet the top riders for Flanders plus with Daniel Oss also racing on Sunday the team’s weakness could be its individual strengths. Alessandro Ballan was third last year but is still recovering from a broken leg with Hushovd taking his place as the ex-World Champion in the Flanders team. Van Avermaet has finished in the top ten at Flanders in 2008 and was fourth last year but due to the arrival of Hushovd and Gilbert has seen his chances diminished as the top classics rider. The team could afford for several riders to launch attacks throughout the race before the protected rider tries their luck in a counter-attack. A podium is likely but a win would be a surprise for the American Swiss team but time is running out for this squad to bring home a big win at the classics

Team Sky: with Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Matt Hayman and Bernie Eisel all racing this Sunday the team will have to decide mid-race who they choose to protect for a chance for the win. Stannard showed his form at Milan-San Remo and the team has been in Tenerife training for its March/April assault on the classics and they need to start winning some big one-day races. In general classifications Sky is killing it and has created the new template for success but this is yet to eventuate in the classics. A podium looks good but a win will have to wait with Paris-Roubaix possibly a better chance with surprise wins more common at Roubaix than Flanders.