The Dutchwomen, who is also a three-time road race world champion and an Olympic gold medal winner on the road and track, is favourite following the withdrawal of compatriot and defending champion, Thalita de Jong.

De Jong was forced to pull-out with a leg injury after a heavy fall during the World Cup round in Hoogerheide last week.

Vos won her first world title in 2006 and then claimed seven successive gongs between 2009 and 2014.

But the 29-year-old has shown glimpses of her best form this season after winning the three last rounds of the World Cup and the Dutch National Championships. 

A formidable Dutch team should also include overall UCI World Cup winner Sophie de Boer.

Belgium's Sanne Cant, Italy's Eva Lechner and United States' Pan-American winner Katherine Compton are other contenders.

Belgium and The Netherlands will also go head-to-head in the men's race.

Defending champion Wout van Aert will lock horns with Dutch 2015 winner Mathieu Van der Poel. 

Van Aert was the clear overall winner in the World Cup but lost the final three races to Van der Poel, who had missed the first two through injury.

The course close to the French border is currently covered in snow, but conditions over the weekend are expected to be cloudy, dry and slightly warmer.

A rolling first half of the circuit around Bel-Val High School will be followed by a more technical and physical half at the former industrial area. 

It will include "steep drops, short climbs and multiple off-camber sections".

Around 25 nations are expected to participate. 

The women's race will take place tomorrow before the men's event on Sunday (January 29).