Bold predictions before a big race:

Jonas Abrahamsen is on everyone's lips after Wednesday's brutal performance in the cobbled-together Belgian classic Dwars Door Vlaanderen.

“Grenlandsplogen” is in its life form at the moment. In his last three races he has achieved 12th place (E3 Saxo Classic), 20th place (Gent-Wevelgem) and 2nd place (Dwars Door Vlaaanderen).

In two of the rides, it broke over 125km, and according to Discovery cycling expert Henrik Evensen, it looks like the best Uno-X card ahead of this year's Tour of Flanders, which starts on Sunday.

– He must lead Flanders as he has led other races; By going to an early break. Should Uno-X let him go, I think that will be the key. Abrahamsen from Fracture is Uno-X's best chance.

– Do you think Abrahamsen can win the Tour of Flanders?

– Good question. It's stupid to say no then. If you are in a situation, anything can happen. When you get two in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, you can get two in Flanders around you, and then you might as well win. Of course, there is a lot more to be done, but it is possible.

Uno-X racer in the frenetic victory battle: – I'm completely shaking

Hushovd: – A very strong team

The protagonist himself seems more reserved when asked if he is the team's best chance at winning Sunday's race.

– I don't know if I want to say that. Rasmus (Tiller) can drive very well on a good day and I think he is our strongest man. So, maybe if you're ahead and Rasmus has a good day, I think he can be very good, Abrahamsen tells Discovery.

Abrahamsen also says that Alexander Kristof and Søren Wernskjold, who have been ill recently, appear to be back at work again.

Uno-X Director, Thor Hushovd, also highlights the breadth of the team ahead of the race.

– On paper, we have a very strong team. Abrahamsen showed the breadth of the team in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, Hushovd tells Discovery.

-It's an unfortunate time to get sick when it comes to Soren and Alex, but Alex is a warrior so he'll be back quickly. Let's hope they are 'fit to fight' on Sunday.

Fraction plan

For Abrahamsen, this year's Flanders will be the first time he has ridden this prestigious ride. He agrees with the Discovery expert that his best chance of achieving the best results lies in resting.

-You have to try to be a bit clever, because the break is often a little late in Flanders. So, if you use up all your energy in the first 100 kilometers, you're done for the rest of the race.

– My best chance is definitely to be in a break, whether it's from the start or after 150 kilometers, we'll see. But I think this is my best chance to get into the top 10, which the team and I would have been happy about.

No longer under the radar

And that's exactly how erratic driving became one of Abrahamsen's specialties in this year's season.

Only Italian Davide Paes (Team Polti Cometa) with 681km has covered more broken kilometers than the listed ski cyclist with 645km.

– I think it is positive that development stops. You have to have a certain ability and 'intelligence' to be able to break through that, and it shows that I've taken steps towards that.

But after the performance at Dwars Door Vlaanderen, sneaking in quickly may become more difficult in Sunday's race. Abrahamsen himself was clear about this in the post-race interview.

Evensen believes the biggest stars will pay more attention to “Grenlandsplogen” if it advances on Sunday.

– That might be the case, but he hadn't won yet, so maybe it wasn't the case that the best players were afraid that the victory would be lost if he got a fracture. But they clearly notice the Uno-X rider who repeatedly delivers good rides from the break.

Watch Jonas Abrahamsen's Uno-X and a number of other Norwegians in Flanders on Sunday from approximately 09.45 on Discover+Eurosport Norway and Eurosport.No