Belgian Tom Boonen insists he is not going after records but it will be hard to stop him reaching new heights in the Paris-Roubaix race on Sunday.
Boonen, who revived passion for the sport in his native country, could become the first rider to win both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix twice in succession, a feat not even achieved by his illustrious compatriot Eddy Merckx.
The task looks daunting with so many traps on the 52.7 kilometres of cobbled sectors paving the 'Hell of the North'.
But Boonen was strong a week ago in the 'Ronde' and the world champion looks truly unbeatable if race conditions are good.
Weather forecasts are for dry weather at the weekend, which should make the cobbles easier to handle, even on the notorious Wallers-Arenberg 'trench'.
Boonen is backed by the strongest team in the peloton, his Quick Step team-mates dominating the rest of the field since the beginning of the classics season.
Italian Filippo Pozzato, who won Milan-San Remo earlier this month, will be an important aide or even a suitable Plan B should Boonen encounter bad luck in the 259 kilometres Queen of Classics.
Boonen's main opposition should come from American team Discovery Channel, who will be banking on Leif Hoste's current form to try and upset the favourite.
Hoste was unable to challenge Boonen in the Tour of Flanders but he could join forces with American George Hincapie, third a week ago and a Paris-Roubaix veteran, who has finished in the top eight five times.
Belgian Peter Van Petegem, the 2003 winner, could be another contender despite his inconsistent form of late.
In-form Swiss Fabian Cancellara is also on the list of challengers, closely followed by Norway's Thor Hushovd, who won Ghent-Wevelgem on Wednesday.
Rabobank's Juan-Antonio Flecha, who dreams of becoming the first Spaniard to win in Roubaix, and Italy's Alessandro Ballan could also bring some Latin flair back into the race.
