Despite the fall and defect
Paris-Roubaix drives Degenkolb crazy in the best possible way
April 8, 2024, 12:26 p.m
In eleventh place, John Degenkolb missed out on fighting for victory at Paris-Roubaix. However, that doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm for the spring classic. On the contrary: the 35-year-old announces his next attack.
John Degenkolb stayed with friends. Tired but happy, the German professional cyclist ended his Sunday evening with like-minded people at the Velo Club Roubaix after his hellish ride over the legendary cobblestones of northern France. The “Amis de Paris-Roubaix” welcomed the German, and the veteran also exchanged ideas with junior riders.
“Paris-Roubaix runs through my veins,” said Degenkolb, “it’s simply the most brutal and toughest race you can imagine. Nothing compares to this race. It’s just great to be here and part of this piece of cycling tradition. ” Degenkolb’s love for the “Queen of the Classics” carried him over the bumpy roads again on Sunday. The 121st edition was once again a physical and mental borderline experience. At the end, Degenkolb was torn.
For a long time, “Dege” kept up with the best around the victorious world champion Mathieu van der Poel (“Phenomenal, simply a different league”). He fought back after setbacks, drove the infamous Arenberg forest with a flat tire and made use of his great experience . Eleventh place and 4:47 minutes behind in the Roubaix velodrome only satisfied the 2015 winner to a limited extent.
Degenkolb caught defect “at the worst moment”
“I don’t know whether to be happy or angry,” said Degenkolb, “all I can say is that I love this race and everything it stands for.” Degenkolb has a very special relationship with the “Hell of the North” – not just because of his victory nine years ago, the only German success after Josef Fischer in 1896.
In 2018, Degenkolb won the Tour Pave stage to Roubaix. The Hornaing-Wandignies-Hamage pave sector is named in his honor. Degenkolb was recognized for his contributions to the race. The decisive factor for the honor was Degenkolb’s commitment to the Roubaix junior race, which he once saved from extinction with a crowdfunding campaign. After the race, he maintained his close ties to the “Amis de Paris-Roubaix”, who, among other things, campaign for the preservation of the cobblestones. “It means everything to me to be here. It’s worth everything I sacrifice for this sport, everything my family has to do for it,” said Degenkolb.
Even the unfortunate outcome of this year’s edition did not change his positive attitude. On Friday he fell while exploring the route. His left knee was bandaged during the race. After the Arenberg forest, Degenkolb had to change his front wheel. “I didn’t have good preparation and then I had a defect in the race at the worst possible moment,” he said.
The 35-year-old from the dsm-unternehmenich PostNL team, who had finished unluckily in seventh place last year, knew one thing, but he was certain: next year he wanted to return to his favorite race and try again. “I have at least one more attempt next year. I’m looking forward to that. I’ve shown that I still have it.” He is always welcome at the “Amis de Paris-Roubaix”.