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The first of an opening weekend double-header of races, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (formerly Het Volk) holds a special significance for the Belgian crowds who still regard it as the start of the cycling season.
As is the case for a large portion of Spring, the Flanders region is the battle ground for some of the toughest and most spectacular racing fans will see all season.
The route remains nearly identical to the 2011 edition, but is trimmed slightly to 200 kilometres and features 10 climbs and nine sections of bone-jangling pavé.
Route
The punishing parcours starts and ends in the city of Ghent, yet the focal point of the race will be the three passages over a central hub featuring the Haaghoek cobbles.
The race commences with a leisurely roll out of Ghent, taking in Heusden and Wetteren, before heading south to where the action begins in earnest.
Key section
The riders will enter the fan-lined amphitheatre of the Haaghoek passage for the first time shortly before 70km in, marking the first Belgian cobbles of the season. The section acts as a base for the race's cloverleaf format with riders completing a lap to both the east and west before the run back into Ghent.
The first loop around Geraardsbergen features an extra climb this season, with the Tenbosse (69km), Guilleminlaan (83km) and Eikenmolen (93km) joined by the Valkenberg (102km). The field then return for a second lap of the Haaghoek.
The riders will then branch off for the more selective western loop heading out towards Ronse, which doubles back to take in four climbs and two cobbled sections in a stretch that promises to sort out the contenders from the also-rans.
The final visit to Haaghoek (156km) precedes the one-two punch of the Leberg and Molenberg, the final two climbs of the race.
The riders then head back north for the run home, taking in three more cobbled sections before they hit the Steenakker (197km), the ninth and final 700m section of cobbles with just 3km remaining before the winner is crowned in St. Peter's Square.
Tactics
Heading into the race with such a strong squad the team have a number of options out on the road depending on how the race plays out. Unsurprisingly Juan Antonio Flecha will be looking to keep up his superb record of recent years.
Team Sky history
The semi-classic was the scene of Flecha's impressive solo victory in 2010 and tantalising near-miss a year later. Only off the podium once in the last five years, Flecha is again raring to go as the team look to stamp their authority on the Classics with the same level of consistency which also saw Mathew Hayman also make the podium last season. Sports Directors Steven de Jongh (2005) and Servais Knaven (2000) have both also made the podium in this event.
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