Fabian Wegmann is one of four wild cards that Garmin-Shapr can play at the 49th Amstel Gold Race. In addition to the three-time German champion, they can count on the Irishman Daniel Martin, Dutchman Tom Jelte Slagter and Australian Nathan Haas to the candidate for a top position at the first of the three Ardennes classics on Sunday in Maastricht.

"I have well recovered from the Basque Country Tour and trained well this week. For me so far, everything went according to plan, " Wegmann said to Cyclingnews. "I’ve been in the top 13 5 times at Amstel and this time I would also like to come back in the top ten."

His three other protected teammates have set equally high ambitions- specifically Slagter, who the Freiburger has high praise for. "He was in Paris-Nice with his two stage wins, he’s very strong," said Wegmann, who anticipates an "open, but also tactically influenced race" due to the change since last year finals.

"Before, it was pretty simple: You had an uphill sprint on the Cauberg," said the 33 - year-old. "Now it can both give the sprint a larger group and a surprise winner, Roman Kreuziger as last year, from a breakaway. So it could also be more exciting, because after the Cauberg suspense of last year, it could be repeated again this year."

As a plus point for Garmin-Sharp, Wegmann also sees the team unity. "We are a good team and have lots of fun together. As the saying goes: The chemistry between us is true, " the only addition to the Classics team is German DS Andreas Klier and Slagter.