After wins in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix respectively, Alexander Kristoff (27, Katusha) and John Degenkolb (26, Giant-Alpecin) are being hailed as the next Cancellara and Boonen of the cobbled Classics, looking set to dominate for seasons to come.

However, Degenkolb sees both men as being similar and their ability to clash may deny each other more Monument wins.

“We are pretty similar, there will be also [other] races where we race again against each other,” he said about Kristoff.

Degenkolb also pointed out that there are many other who can win raves. There are riders who are approaching their prime like Vanmarcke, Stybar, Van Avermaet, Terpstra, Stannard, Thomas and Sagan, as well as veterans like Boonen, Cancellara and Elmiger.

“When you are the same type of rider, you always meet each other again. But it’s not only Kristoff and me, a lot of riders played a big role [at Paris-Roubaix].”

Youngsters two are starting to show their skills, with Alexis Gougeard impressing and Yves Lampaert taking seventh in Roubaix and Tiesj Benoot fifth in his first ever Flanders two weeks ago.

“Every race is new and different. When you look to [the other] riders, there are lots of young riders now. There was one in the breakaway at the end, a second year pro [Yves Lampaert] who’s still really young. So [that’s] very impressive.”

“Cycling is changing, definitely, and a new generation are on the trigger. A lot of young riders are also growing, getting experience, getting mentally stronger. That’s also what it’s about in these races. You need these years, no one can come here their first year and get the victory — it took me five years.”

Degenkolb says that while nothing can be taken away from his win in Roubaix, he regrets not being able to fight against Cancellara like he did in 2014, when he beat the Swiss to second.

“I’m actually still quite sad that Fabian was not there in this race. It would’ve been really nice to have a battle with him. I hope he’s coming back and we can race against each other. I really appreciate him as a rider, he’s a strong road warrior.”