John Degenkolb had to settle for 9th in today’s Worlds road race after he had been unable to follow the attacks on the final climb. Having been setback by illness in the build-up, the German is convinced that he would have been in the group that sprinted for second if he had been at 100%.

After an excellent showing in the Vuelta a Espana, John Degenkolb emerged as one of the big favourites for the World Championships. Returning to his home country, the German hoped to recover from the efforts of the three-week race before going all out for an assault at the rainbow jersey.

Unfortunately, wounds sustained in a crash got infected and Degenkolb spent several days in hospital in Germany. The health issues made his form for today’s race highly uncertain but the Germans still went into the event with the plan to support their sprinter.

Despite his less than ideal build-up, Degenkolb did a strong race, always riding in the front positions. However, he was unable to follow the attacks on the final climb and stayed in the main group that sprinted for 8th, eventually finishing the race in 9th.

Degenkolb was full of praise for the German team that had been fully committed to their leader despite the uncertainties.

“I have to thank my team,” he told several media, including CyclingQuotes. “They have supported me perfectly in the last week. They have given me courage to try. It was not enough to get the title but I am pleased that we have played a role in the finale of the Worlds.”

Many had expected the Germans to try to keep things together for a bunch sprint. Instead, they approached the race differently by sending Tony Martin and Simon Geschke on the attack in the finale.

“I think that we have been at our limit and done a tactically wise race,” he said. “We had two strong guys in the right group. I saw that the Australians started to chase but after one and a half lap they had used up their entire team. It showed that it would be fatal to have to chase on this course. We knew this and we went into the race with that in mind.”

The final was dominated by riders that shine in the Ardennes classics, leading to the suggestion that Degenkolb would not have been in contention for the win even if he had been at 100%. However, the German insists that he would have played a role if he had been at his maximum

“I didn’t feel too good in the race and I missed out in the last attack,” he said. “You needed to be there to be in contention for a medal.

“The Worlds is another race than the Ardennes classics. There were not only Ardennes riders in the breakaway. I think that it would have been possible to be there if I had felt super good.

“The race cost a lot of energy. Everybody expected an attack from Fabian Cancellara but he was also not able to do anything. It was a very long race and the course was very demanding.”

Martin said after the race that he was sure that Degenkolb could have taken the win. Pleased with the appraisal of his teammate, the Giant-Shimano rider is optimistic for the future.

“Of course I hope that it is a true prediction,” he said. “We have delivered a perfect team performance and that gives me confidence for the future.”