Fellow Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck is the only other man to have one the most prestigious one-day Classic on four occasions.

Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) was completing the Tour of Flanders - Roubaix double to underline the dominant Classics form which has seen him rack up a series of victories in recent weeks.

He made his initial move fully 58 kilometres from home in the 'Queen of the Classics', with team-mate Niki Terpstra then jumping out of the pack as the two took off.

Yet with Terpstra blowing shortly after, Boonen was left to time trial alone for over 50km and he did so in astonishing fashion.

Strength in numbers

Team Sky had taken up the chase behind but, despite having the numerical advantage of four riders in the shape of Juan Antonio Flecha, Ian Stannard, Mathew Hayman and Edvald Boasson Hagen, they were unable to close the gap.

Indeed whatever was thrown at him, Boonen simply went further and further clear - he was 46 seconds to the good with 35km remaining and heading into the final 10km his lead was up to nearly a minute and a half.

Entering the famous Roubaix velodrome he was able to savour a memorable triumph, eventually crossing the line one minute and 42 seconds ahead as the batle for the podium places was played out behind him by a couple of select groups which came together in the final lap and a half.

It was Sébastien Turgot (Europcar) who took second place by the narrowest possible margin from Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing). Flecha was fourth and Terpstra produced a late flourish to claim fifth.

An understandably delighted Boonen, who had been the overwhelming pre-race favourite, said afterwards: "I attacked because no one seemed to want to work - I then just took it kilometre by kilometre.

"It was an amazing feeling coming into the velodrome and I was able to enjoy the win; it was an incredible way to do it and it's pretty special to get a fourth victory."