After their excellent performances in Paris-Roubaix and Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Omega Pharma-Quick Step are ready to continue their momentum in the Ardennes claissics that kick off with Sunday's Amstel Gold Race. The team will field most of its Pais Vasco team in the Dutch race, with Michal Kwiatkowski and Wout Poels set to lead the team alongside Zdenek Stybar who joins them from the cobbled classics roster.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection for Amstel Gold Race, a 251.4km race which opens the Ardennes Classics, on Sunday, April 20th. The race includes three circuits on the Cauberg.

OPQS rider Michal Kwiatkowski finished 4th in Amstel Gold Race in 2013. The team will head into the first of three Ardennes Classics races with good momentum, having won Paris-Roubaix on Sunday to close the Cobblestone Classics.

"After the success of Sunday at the biggest monument of cycling, we have selected a team once again structured to do well," Sport Director Wilfried Peeters said. "Kwiatkowski was 4th last year and is in a good moment of his season. With Kwiatkowski the team can also count on a guy like Wout Poels, the queen stage winner of Pais Vasco.

"We did really well at Pais Vasco as a team last week, and therefore it is good for the cohesion of the unit that we also selected Jan Bakelants, and Tony Martin — who is returning to the Classics after a few years away — as well as Pieter Serry and Michal Golas. These are all consistent riders who know to perform well in a one-day race like this, and their recent performances give us much to be excited about.

"Of course, there is also Zdenek Stybar. He is the lone rider who participated in the cobblestone classics. He likes this race and the parcours. It's kind of like a Tour of Flanders with hills, but without the cobbled sections. So, it can fit his skills.

"Last, but not least, there is Julian Alaphilippe. The young French rider has been on the podium multiple times already in his first season as a professional, and he will be able to learn from the experienced guys how to also ride the one-day races. We will do our best for a good result."