'My big dream is to be up there in Paris-Roubaix' – veteran John Degenkolb keeps Classics flame burning at Picnic-PostNL

John Degenkolb (Picnic-PostNL)
John Degenkolb (Picnic-PostNL) (Image credit: Getty Images)

A whole decade has passed since the mud-encrusted face of John Degenkolb outsprinted Zdenek Stybar and Greg van Avermaet in Roubaix velodrome to claim the biggest victory of his career.

But, even if the 36-year-old is now more frequently seen in a team captain's role in races, and for all the seasons roll by, when it comes to the cobbled Classics of Belgium and France, Degenkolb remains a real reference point.

Alasdair Fotheringham

Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The IndependentThe GuardianProCycling, The Express and Reuters.

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