Speaking through his new management group, Fairly Group (run by his ex-teammate Caleb Fairly), John Degenkolb has confirmed he will leave Giant-Alpecin at the end of the year.

In a statement issued by the Fairly Group, which will take over his management next year, Degenkolb said "This has been a tough decision, but it has been a thorough and deliberate process to be sure we end up in the best possible situation."

Degenkolb has been heavily linked with Trek-Segafredo for 2017. He is set to be replaced at Gaint-Alpecin by Michael Matthews. For the German team, Degenkolb is the second star rider they have lost in successive seasons, following Marcel Kittel’s departure.

Degenkolb is considering offers from two teams, saying "My next contract will be about much more than just money. Besides the best team fit, it will also be about image rights, my protection as a sportsman and other details which have not historically been part of rider contract negotiations."

The German thanked his team and teammates, saying, "it gives me much satisfaction to have won two Monuments wearing their jersey."