Lampre-Merida will field one of the strongest teams for the Ardennes classics when they line up a roster than include a three-pronged attack. Rui Costa faces his first big objective as world champion, Damiano Cunego is keen to confirm his return to his best level, and Diego Ulissi aims to continue his progress in the hilly one-day races.

Lampre-Merida goese back to the North, this time to face the Ardenne Classics.

This is the races schedule and the selections of blue-fuchsia-green riders:
- Amstel Gold Race (20 April, 251 km from Maastricht to Valkenburg): Matteo Bono, Mattia Cattaneo, Damiano Cunego, Kristijan Durasek, Nelson Oliveira, Rui Costa, Rafael Valls, Diego Ulissi
- Fleche Wallone (23 April, 199 km from Bastogne to Huy): Matteo Bono, Mattia Cattaneo, Damiano Cunego, Kristijan Durasek, Nelson Oliveira, Rui Costa, Rafael Valls, Diego Ulissi
- Liegi-Bastogne-Liegi (27 April, 263 km): Matteo Bono, Mattia Cattaneo, Damiano Cunego, Przemyslaw Niemiev, Nelson Oliveira, Rui Costa, Rafael Valls, Diego Ulissi

"Anyone who knows me is aware that I'm ambitious, but also realistic,"Rui Costa explained. "The opponents are strong, we'll try hard to do our best. In the Ardennes Classics I hope to be better than in Vuelta al Pais Vasco: I worked hard to be on a physically high level in these Classics and I'll give my best, as I always do in every race.

"The Ardennes Classics are important races, I really love to take part in them. The team and I will do our utmost to honor the rainbow jersey and the team's sponsors."

During his career, Damiano Cunego has finished on the podium of all the three races:

"I love the Ardennes Classics and I have always managed to be competitive," he said. "This year, one of the main goals was the Ardennes Classics week, that's why I worked hard in order to be ready to face Amstel, Fleche Wallone and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

"In Vuelta al Pais Vasco I had very good feelings, the feedbacks I got were amazing, so I only ask to have luck in order to try to be protagonist. The work of prepatations is now over and has aimed directly at the Ardennes Classics and the Giro d'Italia.

Diego Ulissi is the third star in LAMPRE-MERIDA selection:

"My morale is very good, I really want to fight on every meter to prove our team is strong," he said Rui Costa, Cunego and many quality teammates can really be protagonists in the Ardennes

"This is the fourth year I face the Ardennes Classics. Each season I gained experience , so I think I could be ready to have a place among the top cyclists, maybe especially in Fleche Wallone where I have done well in the past."