AG2R La Mondiale team has announced its selection for the Giro del Trentino which will take place from 21 to 24 April. The French team will rely on three leaders in the Italian race as Jean-Christophe Péraud, Romain Bardet and Domenico Pozzovivo will get a rare chance to ride rogether.

Romain Bardet returned to competition in the Brabantse Pijl after a block of training. "I had a good feeling. I was fine at first but then I missed a bit in the end, mainly because it was very hot. The race was good."

Bardet was originally set to do the Ardennes triptych but has now decided to skip the first two classics to ride in Trentino.

"I need more racing days before Liège-Bastogne-Liège which is the classic that suits me best so it is a strategic choice. I also want to discover the Giro del Trentino which is a stage race for climbers, with two summit finishes. It is also interesting for the Tour de France and the Critérium du Dauphiné to get the chance to do a team time trial."

Bardet is coming back to racing after he crashed out of the Volta a Catalunya.

"I am not longer thinking about it," he said. "It's behind me. I had ​​a superb training camp in Sierra Nevada where I trained hard. Currently, I am not as physically and psycologically worn out as I have been in other seasons.

"This is a moment that I love. This is how I approach my work, meticulously preparing the targets. We worked well, in a beautiful setting. We took advantage of the mountains and the fresh air."

Bardet's big goal is Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"I liked this race since I did it at the U23 level. I have never finished better than 13th (he was actually 10th in 2014, ed.) The climbs and the repeated efforts suit me perfectly. I also like the tactical aspect. It is made ​​for attackers. I also appreciate the history. It is a classic with legendary images like Hinault in the snow in 1981. I don't do the Flemich races but in La Doyenne I can do a monument."

Ag2r for Giro del Trentino:

Axel Domont, Blel Kadri, Domenico Pozzovivo, Hubert Dupont, Hugo Houle, Jean-Christophe Péraud, Patrick Gretsch and Romain Bardet.