Degenkolb distraught after crashing out of contention at Paris-Roubaix

John Degenkolb (Team DSM) lies distraught on the ground of the Roubaix velodrome after crashing out of contention on Carrefour de l'Arbre
John Degenkolb (Team DSM) lies distraught on the ground of the Roubaix velodrome after crashing out of contention on Carrefour de l'Arbre (Image credit: Frank Faugre PoolGetty Images)

John Degenkolb has been there, done it, and got the t-shirt at Paris-Roubaix. The 2015 winner is one of the veterans of the cobbled Classics peloton and still a name people look to in Compiègne, even if he heads towards the twilight years of his career.

But still, it had been some time since the German was at the sharp end of the Hell of the North before his ride on Sunday afternoon. A top 10 in 2017 was his best result before racing to seventh at this, his 11th participation.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.