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Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling will line up at the start of Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race, the next event in the UCI Women’s WorldTour, which will be run alongside the men’s event for the first time since 2003. French Time Trial Champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot will be the black and orange team’s captain on the road, and relishes the challenge of the top quality “Ardennes” race being added to the women’s calendar. 
“It's a massive step for women cycling having Amstel now on our calendar together with Liège,” Cordon-Ragot said. “We are finally recognised as the men, able to race on hard circuits. “I can't wait to show our strength and prove we deserved it.” The 121km race will finish 1.1km after the summit of the famous Cauberg climb, in Valkenberg, in the same place as the 2012 World Championships. Wiggle high5 Pro Cycling’s World Number One took the Bronze Medal in that race as a relative unknown, but will be among the most watched riders this time. Along with Longo Borghini, however, the black and orange squad will have the climbing talent of Claudia Lichtenberg to call upon, as well as the current form of Cordon-Ragot herself. With Mayuko Hagiwara also returning to the team after illness the team will have plenty of cards to play. 
“I don't know the plan yet,” said Cordon-Ragot. “I think Elisa really wants to win one of those 3 classics and we'll be 100% focused on the win. “Of course Claudia is an important card to play together with me,” she added. “I think I proved that I stepped up this winter and I'm able to play the game.” Cordon-Ragot is enjoying her best spring form for many years, having been able to help teammate and friend Longo Borghini in the closing kilometres of the biggest races. This form means that she will once again be a top domestique in Sunday’s race, or be able to take a chance for herself. “I feel really good since [Omloop Het] Nieuwsblad, my form and my ability to be up the front push me to the top,” she said. “I think I finally found the good way and confidence to improve at the highest level. “I can't wait to see how it is on those next races.” 
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