Winning eight stages in his only two Vuelta a Espana appearances, John Degenkolb remains consent about his role of Marcel Kittel’s lead-out man in the greatest of Grand Tour events. However, the realistic 25-year old German, who refuses to call himself a sprinter, realizes that he will be forced to separate their ways with his countryman in order to chase a green jersey at the Tour de France in the future.

“Green is a nice color. It’s a big goal for the future,” Degenkolb told VeloNews. “I am also realistic to know that Marcel and I cannot fight for the green jersey if we are both on the same team. That’s how it is.”

Due to their slightly different characteristics, both Germans easily split stages between themselves in this year’s Tour as Degenkolb easily slipped into the role of Kittel’s lead-out man when finishes were dedicated to pure sprinters. Being allowed to contest hillier affairs, the 25-year came close to his first victory in the French three-week event on two occasions, but there is absolutely no doubt that he will take more than just one in the future.

Degenkolb realizes that much more elements need to fall into right places for him to succeed but also acknowledges that consistency is just as important as stage victories when chances in points classification are discussed, bringing up this year’s green jersey Peter Sagan (Cannondale) as convincing enough example.

“For me it’s not as simple as Marcel to be there in the bunch sprint. I need several circumstances to happen,” he said. “You need to be lucky that no one attacks with 5km to go, like Tony Gallopin or Ramunas Navarduaskas. Things like that happen, and I am happy for those guys because they did a great race, but next time it will be my turn.”

As the Giant-Shimano rider insists that he has nothing against cooperating with Kittel until his current contract with the Dutch team expires, he also admits that the green jersey at the Tour will be one of his biggest goals in the future, but in order to chase it he will be forced to part his ways with his powerful countryman.

“It’s not possible. If we split the stages between us, it’s not possible to fight for the green jersey, because every single point is important,” Degenkolb said. “If one of us wants to go for the green jersey, one of us has to go our separate ways.”

“That changes nothing with Marcel. He is a great guy, but I am also realistic enough to see the situation, and he realizes that, too,” Degenkolb said. “I would like to win the green jersey some day. And so would Marcel. It’s not possible for both of us on the same team.”

Degenkolb also commented on the upcoming World Championship road race, for which he was regarded one of the biggest favorites alongside Simon Gerrans (Orica GreenEDGE), thanks to his promising showing at the Vuelta.

“I have not seen the course. People say it’s good for me, good for [Peter] Sagan, but the worlds are also good for [Vincenzo] Nibali, for a lot of guys,” Degenkolb said. “You cannot say it’s perfect for [Fabian] Cancellara or [Philippe} Gilbert. There are many altitude meters to climb. The worlds are always hard.”

“What is the ideal preparation? It’s hard to plan. The Vuelta is always a bit of a risk, because you can crash at any time. For me, it’s good preparation for the worlds,” he said. “Two years ago, I did the Vuelta, and I was in very good shape. Last year, I did only one-day races after the Tour, and I didn’t feel I had the real power to be there in the final.”