Speaking in an interview with T-Online.de Sport, John Degenkolb has spoken of the pressure he faces to take a maiden stage win at the Tour de France now that Marcel Kittel wont be part of his Giant-Alpecin team and the fame winning Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix this year has brought him.
"I'm very proud of the wins, they give great confidence, security and motivation on one hand... but this means that you've made a big step, and in the perception of the media and other riders in the big races you're important. But the positives outweigh it all."
He has also spoken about his pain at never winning a Tour stage and his hopes to set that record straight this year.
"I would like to win a stage. This is the clearly stated objective, because I'm going to put everything on it and the team also. I have tried for two years now in vain to win a stage, and have only been second. I hope that all good things come in threes."
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
Rostom BENSETTI 39 years | today |
Thomas VAN OPSTAL 29 years | today |
Carmen SMALL 44 years | today |
Maghalie ROCHETTE 31 years | today |
Jon BARRENETXEA GOLZARRI 24 years | today |
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