The national championships are the main focus for the team this coming weekend, with Argos-Shimano riders racing all over the world.

The biggest line-ups are at the German and Dutch championships, however there is also a strong team heading to France where Thomas Damuseau (FRA) will head a small but powerful line-up in Brittany, looking to upset the large French outfits. All the time trials are held this Wednesday (except the Swedish one, which takes place Thursday), with the men’s road races on Sunday.

Team coach Marc Reef said: “Patrick Gretsch will be looking for a podium spot in the time trial, while Nikias Arndt could surprise. In the road race the guys aiming for the win are John Degenkolb, Simon Geschke and Nikias Arndt. They will use an offensive strategy on a rolling circuit and can all stake their claim to become German champion.”

Talking about the French championships, coach Christian Guiberteau said: “We will be in the minority compared to teams like FDJ and Europcar, but we will be looking for the opportune moments, and we can get a good result on the hard circuit.”

“We have a small team here for the Dutch nationals, but the riders are in great shape. We also have Ramon Sinkeldam, who could do really well here, alongside lots of guys from the Tour de France selection,” said coach Rudi Kemna. “It’s Tom Dumoulin’s home race and he’s really keen to bring home the jersey before the Tour de France. He's also very focused on the time trial and recently performed well in the Baloise Belgium Tour so it should be a good race for him.”

Eight riders that don’t participate in the time trial championships will take to the start at Halle-Ingooigem this Wednesday in Belgium before heading their separate ways to their homelands.

Argos-Shimano line-up for Halle-Ingooigem (19th of June): Jonas Ahlstrand (Sweden), Bert de Backer (Belgium), Will Clarke (Australia), Koen de Kort (Netherlands), Luka Mezgec (Slovenia), Ramon Sinkeldam (Netherlands), Tom Veelers (Netherlands), Yan Dong Xing (China)

Argos-Shimano line-ups for the national championships:

Canada: François Parisien (individual time trial and road race)

Netherlands: Tom Dumoulin (ITT and RR), Roy Curvers, Koen de Kort, Ramon Sinkeldam, Albert Timmer, Tom Veelers (all only RR)

Sweden: Tobias Ludvigsson (ITT and RR), Jonas Ahlstrand (RR)

France: Warren Barguil (ITT and RR), Thomas Damuseau, Thierry Damuseau, Thierry Dupont, Yann Huguet (all only RR)

Germany: Nikias Arndt, Simon Geschke, Patrick Gretsch (all ITT and RR), John Degenkolb, Johannes Fröhlinger, Marcel Kittel (all only RR)

Austria: Georg Preidler (only RR)

Belgium: Bert de Backer (only RR)

Slovenia: Luka Mezgec (only RR)