Alexis Vuillermoz and Jan Bakelants will lead Ag2r at Sunday's Amstel Gold Race.

"My shoulder was really painful during Vuelta Ciclista Al Pais Vasco because of my crash in Milan San Remo," Bakelants said. "I was feeling well on the first stage (6th) but the terrible weather conditions did not help me to recover properly. Therefore, I decided to withdraw on stage 5 in order to have additional medical examinations.

"Then, I took three days off to rest and it was a great idea!  Now, the pain is over and I am about to start the Amstel Gold Race with a lot of confidence.

"It will be an important week for us. That is why we built a competitive team for the three following races (Amstel Gold Race /
Flèche Wallonne / Liège-Bastogne-Liège). I can assure you I will do everything I can to assist Alexis Vuillermoz. He is definitely able to win La Flèche Wallonne."