Belgium's Tom Boonen will seek a sixth Harelbeke win ©Getty Images

Belgium's Tom Boonen will chase a sixth victory in what should be his final time competing at the Record Bank E3 Harelbeke race before his retirement.

The 206.4 kilometres race International Cycling Union World Tour event is taking place on a mixture of cobbled sectors and narrow roads.

Boonen will lead a strong Quick-Step team in what should be one of the home rider's final races before his planned retirement after Paris-Roubaix.

He has not triumphed at the race since 2012. 

Fellow Belgian Philippe Gilbert will be among other team members along with Dwars door Vlaanderen winner Yves Lampaert.

Gilbert, who finished second behind Lampaert in Dwars, will be competing at Harelbeke for the first time in four years. 

Peter Sagen, the winner in 2014, will be another strong contender ©Getty Images
Peter Sagen, the winner in 2014, will be another strong contender ©Getty Images

Team Sky have won the last two editions of the one day classic.

Neither of the two winners over the last two years - Michal Kwiatkowski of Poland and Geraint Thomas of Britain - are among the entrants this time around.

Bora–Hansgrohe's Slovakian star Peter Sagan will be another major contender.

The 2014 champion and two-time second place finisher may attempt to blow open the race early on, or could be content to wait for a sprint.