John Degenkolb discussion thread

[ICEROCK]

How many more monuments can he win? PR?

In my book he is way much better than one trick pony (all the other Germany sprinters).

 

[Jspear]

Here is the another "John Degenkolb discussion thread." Maybe the mods should combine them.
http://forum.cyclingnews.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18638&hilit=Degenkolb&start=20

If PR comes down to a sprint he has a great chance of winning. I could see him winning several monuments through out his career. Of course he'll have to play things perfectly...plenty of good classics riders right now.

 

[IndianCyclist]

I can also see him gaining a number of podium spots because he will basically follow wheels

 

[eljimberino]

Bit hard to state he's following wheels if he crosses the line first.

 

[Asero831]

If the finish line flat of there is around 1.5% elevation?

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

I can also see him gaining a number of podium spots because he will basically follow wheels

If Gerrans follows wheels and wins it's a crime but if Degenkolb does it it's genius ! Is there a more hated rider on this site than Gerrans ?

 

[hfer07]

How many more monuments can he win? PR?

In my book he is way much better than one trick pony (all the other Germany sprinters).

I was impressed by the way he rode RVV last year- the hills didn't hold him off, as expected to happen for a regular sprinter. I foresee a couple monuments victories in the coming years IF he gets full support of his team.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Re: Re:

I can also see him gaining a number of podium spots because he will basically follow wheels

If Gerrans follows wheels and wins it's a crime but if Degenkolb does it it's genius ! Is there a more hated rider on this site than Gerrans ?

agree, everybody in the top 10 this year were essentially wheelsuckers who spend less than 300 meters in the wind.....

 

[nepetalactone]

Re:

If the finish line flat of there is around 1.5% elevation?

Uhhmmm... you missed this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vGfySq5_1k

He smoked everyone up a 17% grade.

 

[Old School]

Re: Re:

I can also see him gaining a number of podium spots because he will basically follow wheels

If Gerrans follows wheels and wins it's a crime but if Degenkolb does it it's genius ! Is there a more hated rider on this site than Gerrans ?

agree, everybody in the top 10 this year were essentially wheelsuckers who spend less than 300 meters in the wind.....

Uh, that's why it is a team sport. Everyone has a job to do. That's why Renshaw is Cav's most important teammate no? Come on man, stop the pickiness.

 

[ICEROCK]

So two in the bag this year. Three next year?

 

[phanatic]

Isn't he racing LBL?

 

[ICEROCK]

Re:

Isn't he racing LBL?

LBL is too hard for him to win.

 

[DFA123]

Re:

So two in the bag this year. Three next year?

He could have a chance at the World Championships this year if he can time another peak in form well. Will probably take a few grand tour stages as well - incredible year.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

agr/fw/lbl are too hard. Although, if fit he might survive agr..

But it'll be for Dumoulin and Geschke there

 

[Mr.White]

John D. writes himself in history books becoming only third man to win MSR and PR in the same year. Quite an achievement

 

[thequestionmark]

Re:

agr/fw/lbl are too hard. Although, if fit he might survive agr..

But it'll be for Dumoulin and Geschke there

He was 4th in the 2012 world championship. How different is AGR?

His next big target is a Tour stage. He already has a bunch of second places. I hope that he can pull it of this year.

 

[The Hitch]

Re: Re:

agr/fw/lbl are too hard. Although, if fit he might survive agr..

But it'll be for Dumoulin and Geschke there

He was 4th in the 2012 world championship. How different is AGR?

The finish is the same but I think AGR is usually harder. More up and downs all day. 2012 Worlds was a course where they just did the same 2 climbs 15 times or whatever. It was poorly raced with big groups.

Not that Degenkolb can't do it at AGR. I see similarities to Freire, better on cobbles of course, but Freire came close a few times and might have done better on the current course.

 

[Carols]

I have no love for sprinters but this guy is more and making me notice him. MSR and PR, wow nice start to a season!

 

[mrhender]

Great performance..

What he said about "not being afraid to lose" says a lot.. I like that attitude..

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

Great performance..

What he said about "not being afraid to lose" says a lot.. I like that attitude..

I have to eat my earlier words about following wheels. He did take initiative to chase and win in the last 10 k.

 

[SafeBet]

He raced PR to perfection. Never sniffed wind, covered every dangerous move, attacked when he cuoldn't wait anymore. Could be a dominant classic rider for the next decade.

 

[movingtarget]

Very good win in PR. He is a different rider this year.

 

[gunara]

So he won two massive races this year and yet one of the moments of the year for me is still that insane sprint in crappy Dubai race . I mean he really announce himself this season with his imposing presence in more than one way, and we've seen all the potentials before, it just come in full this year, I wish my English was better to shorten it. Btw, just curious, who has higher wage, him or Kittel?

 

[thequestionmark]

Re:

So he won two massive races this year and yet one of the moments of the year for me is still that insane sprint in crappy Dubai race . I mean he really announce himself this season with his imposing presence in more than one way, and we've seen all the potentials before, it just come in full this year, I wish my English was better to shorten it. Btw, just curious, who has higher wage, him or Kittel?

As far as I know, they both signed contracts in October 2013 until 2016. Kittel had beaten Cavendish in the Tour, whereas Degenkolb had "only" won Giro and Vuelta stages. Besides Paris-Tours Degenkolb hadn't won a classic yet. Therefore I suspect that Kittel is on a slightly higher payroll.