119. Paris-Roubaix
Berlin (AP) – Ironically, before his season highlight, John Degenkolb was quartered in Oberursel.
“My whole family caught the corona virus last week. That’s why I’m a bit of a vagabond and can’t go home,” said the 33-year-old professional cyclist with a laugh to the German Press Agency. In preparation for his declared favorite race, Paris-Roubaix on Easter Sunday, he was forced to improvise.
Because of the tense situation at home, Degenkolb, after the Tour of Flanders after the first weekend in April, set out for training in the direction of Mallorca – and from there directly to the Dutch Amstel Gold Race, which he did on Sunday in his second participation after 2011 as 47th finished. “This week I’ll be in Cologne near my teammate Nikias Arndt and we’ll prepare together for Paris-Roubaix,” said Degenkolb. From there it goes to northern France.
“Very Special Bond”
The prestigious spring classic is taking place for the 119th time – for Degenkolb the annual highlight in the racing calendar. “It’s definitely my favorite race that I have a very special bond with,” he said of the “queen of the classics.” So far, two Germans have been on the list of winners of the cycling monument: Bavarian Josef Fischer won the premiere in 1896, and in 2015 Degenkolb, who was born in Thuringia, triumphed in the venerable velodrome in Roubaix. Three years later, the DSM professional, then in the jersey of the Trek-Segafredo team, won the 9th stage of the Tour de France right in front of the cycling stadium. After that it became quieter around Degenkolb.
Since the beginning of the season, the family man has been under contract again with the Dutch DSM team, for which he still won the Italian one-day race Milan-Sanremo in 2015 under the name Giant-Alpecin shortly before Roubaix. Seven years later, Degenkolb is a bit away from successes of this caliber. He missed Sanremo this year because of a cold. On the 257.2-kilometer ride through the northern French coal region, he would at least like to be among the frontrunners.
Top favorite van der Poel
“I count myself among the drivers who can finish in the top 10. If more is possible, that would be awesome. But I’m realistic enough and I know that it will be really tough at the front,” emphasized Degenkolb. In any case, his new team believes in the strength of the veteran. “He comes from the Flemish Classics and is in really good shape. We can expect a super motivated John when we start on Sunday,” said DSM trainer Phil West.
However, for Degenkolb, the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel is “the absolute top favourite” for victory. “We don’t need to discuss it at all,” he said, but added: “It’s not a race like any other and you shouldn’t be surprised if someone ends up in front who hasn’t shown anything up front. That was often in been the case in recent years.”
Politt confident
This could apply to Nils Politt, for example. The 28-year-old would like to be among the front runners again in the spring classic after recently struggling with bronchitis. “I have good hopes that I will be in a good mood,” said the Bora-hansgrohe professional of the “Rheinische Post”. Because of the presidential elections in France, the race was postponed by a week. “I’m feeling better from race to race and I like that Paris-Roubaix is a bit later,” he said. In 2019, the man from Cologne finished the race in second place behind Belgian winner Philippe Gilbert.
An ordeal through the north of France with the 30 dreaded cobblestone sections over a total of 55 kilometers awaits Politt as well as Degenkolb and his colleagues. The dirt roads with the so-called pavés lead to countless slaps on the wrists. After that, he couldn’t even open a bottle for several days, Degenkolb said a few years ago. At least when he is allowed to be with his loved ones again after the race, his wife Laura could do this for him.