Cycling: John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) is back. After two difficult years with accidents and illnesses, he wants to attack again in the 2018 season. In the VeloNews the professional, who was born in Gera, reviewed the past year and commented on his goals.
Degenkolb had his best year so far in 2015
It's not that long ago that John Degenkolb won two monuments in one year. It was in 2015 when the now 29-year-old won Paris-Roubaix and Milan-Sanremo. In June he said at the time Velomotion Interview "I've been very lucky in my career so far." After this impressive year, Degenkolb was hit by several strings of bad luck. He started it serious training accident in January 2016. He was only able to recover slowly. He didn't get in the right shape all year. In an interview with VeloNews he looks back.
"I see it as a chain reaction of everything that has happened in the last two years. I had the big accident and I fought so hard to get back as soon as possible."
The delayed bronchitis turned into pneumonia
In 2017 he wanted to attack again. John Degenkolb switched from Giant-Alpecin to Trek-Segafredo. There he should ensure victories in the mass sprints, but also succeed Fabian Cancellara in the classics. But again luck was not on his side. At first he didn't really get going, then his health went on strike. He fell in the Tour de France. Degenkolb had to give up the Vuelta a Espana with bronchitis. He actually wanted to prepare for the World Cup after that, but ultimately nothing came of that either. He canceled his participation in the World Cycling Championships in Bergen. Bronchitis turned into pneumonia.
“It all started with the bronchitis at the Vuelta. I left them to get well as soon as possible and to be able to compete in the World Championships. We are professionals. Normally you would think we know how much rest we need. But in the end I started training too early. I got sick again and it got worse than before.”
Would you jump?? #dege #dgnklb #team spirit pic.twitter.com/tvlDxsdTUH
— John Degenkolb (@johndegenkolb) 23 January 2018
Degenkolb starts the year 2018 well recovered
Now John Degenkolb is fit again. He's beaten his pneumonia - and now he wants to get back on his bike to win. He used the free time between the two seasons to do a lot with his family. After his vacation in Morocco, he got a free ride from the doctors. Degenkolb trained a lot on the mountain bike in the forest, in the gym and of course on the racing bike.
"Finally I feel like I'm back in full rhythm, without any pressure. I already feel so much better than last year.”
"Every year starts from scratch"
John Degenkolb will probably start the 2018 season at the Mallorca Challenge these days. Then it's on to the Dubai Tour and Paris-Nice before the big classics are on the program. He might even try to win at the Amstel Gold Race. In any case, John Degenkolb seems really looking forward to the new season and is bursting with energy.
“I'm confident of getting back to my top level. You don't get a great classic out of nothing. You must be really good. You must have done your homework. There's never a lucky winner in these big races. Every year is different. Every year starts from scratch. You have to compete with the big names again. I've worked hard and I'm very confident that I can be up front again."
It has been a long two years for John Degenkolb. After recovering from pneumonia, the Roubaix/Sanremo champ is ready to live up to his own high expectations. https://t.co/QPVKlOb8Ea
— VeloNews (@velonews) 23 January 2018
You can read the complete interview in the original at VeloNews.