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Top ten neo-pros of 2011

By Daniel Friebe

published 22 November 2010

We select the most promising rookies poised for their pro debuts

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Michael Matthews (Australia) celebrates his victory in the U23 Worlds road race.(Image credit: Riccardo Scanferla)

Taylor Phinney (Trek Livestrong/U23) was clearly happy afterwards at the press conference(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

Caleb Fairly shows off his third place trophy.(Image credit: Sirotti)

Andrea Guardini (Casati NGC) on the Girbio podium(Image credit: Riccardo Scanferla)

Thomas Bonnin (l) and Jonathan Monsalve ride together up front.(Image credit: Riccardo Scanferla)

Jonathan Monsalve (Mastromarco Chianti Sensi Benedetti) wins the Girobio's penultimate stage.(Image credit: Riccardo Scanferla)

There's always excitement at the prospect of another season commencing but for these talented young riders there's the added anticipation of beginning life in the professional ranks.

Transfer season in full swing as more riders move

The Cyclingnews guide to rider transfers 2010-2011

John Degenkolb
Nationality: German
Age: 21
2011 team: HTC-Highroad
Stars: ****

You may not know the name, but John Degenkolb could well turn out to be HTC-Highroad's best acquisition for a couple of seasons.

The 21-year-old won 10 times in 2010, most notably in two stages of the Tour de l'Avenir and the general classification at the Thüringen Rundfahrt. He then rounded off his season with a silver medal in the Under 23 world championship road race.

Those in the know use adjectives like "withering" to describe both Degenkolb's finishing kick and his ambition. "In some ways he's a bit like Edvald Boasson Hagen, although probably not as good in time trials," says HTC chief Rolf Aldag. "The thing about him, though, is that he absolutely knows what he wants to do.

"With most neo-pros, it's usually the managers who do most of the talking and ask most of the questions. With John it was almost the other way around: he was asking us lots of questions about, for instance, the bike, the make-up of the team in the Classics and so on. He has real leadership qualities.

"Talent-wise, he wants to focus on the Classics and short stage races. He's not a major tour rider. We told him that he'd have to earn his place if he wanted to ride Flanders and Roubaix in his first year, and he said that was fine; he expected to do exactly that."