The Belgian has undoubtedly had mixed emotions at the Tour of Flanders, part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour, in recent years as he is yet to win the race, despite having stood on the podium in three of the last four seasons.

As reported by Cycling News, the 32-year-old has said that the classics, of which the Tour of Flanders is one, are decided by "90 per cent legs and 10 per cent luck".

One of Van Avermaet’s closest challengers for the race in Belgium, held annually since 1913, could be Peter Sagan, who became Slovakia's first ever classic race winner in 2016 with a victory in this event.

Sagan has been in good form this year with victory in the recent Tour Down Under and the Gent-Wevelgem.

Another rider close to the front could be Yves Lampaert, who successfully defended his Dwars door Vlaanderen title last week.

Following his victory in the Dwars door Vlaanderen, said that he dreams of becoming Belgian time trial champion and hopes to be in the mix for classics such as the Tour of Flanders in future.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's race. the 26-year-old said he and his Quick-Step Floors team mates were confident going into the competition.

"We won't get much space from the other teams on Sunday," he said. 

"We're confident.

"We have to ride our own race

"We don't have to act in a special way."

He also outlined the most difficult parts of the 267 kilometres race.

"The Koppenberg is the hardest part of the race.

"There's a lot of space between the cobbles.

"The cobbles on the Oude Kwaremont just before the houses are the worst of the race."

The women's Tour of Flanders race will also take place tomorrow with Coryn Rivera of the United States looking to defend the title she won last year.

The American has not been in great form so far this year but is on a talented Sunweb team which includes former race winner Ellen Van Dijk of the Netherlands, meaning her chances of winning are very high.

Anna van der Breggen, Amy Pieters and Chantal Blaak, who are all from the Netherlands, will also fancy their chances as they feature on a talented Boels Dolmans team, who are ranked at number one in the world.