Haussler hoping luck is on his side at Tour of Flanders

Australian champion Heinrich Haussler will lead IAM Cycling at the Ronde van Vlaanderen on Sunday.

SBS will broadcast the Tour of Flanders live!

Haussler finished second in the monument in 2009 and will be hoping to go one better when the peloton hits the cobbled roads of Flanders on Sunday.

The 31 year old will share leadership responsibilities with IAM team-mate Sylvain Chavanel.

"I had a good start to the season with no particular problems," said Haussler.

"The sensations are good, but it will be important that we race without a hitch, in order to hope that we get a chance to play our cards."

The 260km race is charaterised by many cobbled sectors and bergs with luck often a significant factor in the outcome of the race.

The two previous winners of the race - Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) and Tom Boonen (Etixx-Quick-Step) - will both be watching from their couches after injuries brought a premature end to their Classics campaigns.

"The fact that both Tom Boonen and Fabian Cancellara won't be there due to injuries really doesn't change what we have to do," said Haussler.

"There are still many contenders capable of vying for the coveted victory in Le Ronde."

Watch the Tour of Flanders live on SBS from 2230 AEST Sunday 5 April on SBS2.

The race will be live for Eastern states, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Western Australia can view the race live online here at Cycling Central.