Giant-Alpecin’s John Degenkolb was forced to settle for watching yesterday’s Paris-Roubaix on TV, as last year’s winner of that cobbled Monument continues his recovery from the training crash in January that left him and five teammates tending to severe injuries.

Degenkolb suffered injuries to his thigh, forearm and lip, while a finger on his left hand was practically detached, requiring an operation by a specialist surgeon to save it.

In the wake of the crash, the German sprinter resigned himself to missing the entire Classics season.

“I hope to return in May,” Degenkolb stated at the time, “but there is still much work to be done.”

Degenkolb had the last of five operations just six weeks ago as he continues his unhurried come back to full fitness and the German understands he has to take things one step at a time.

“I have five operations behind me and the finger requires a lot of rehabilitation,” he told Cyclingweekly. “The nerves are affected. My co-ordination on the bike is not quite right. Braking, changing gear, it is not easy. This requires more time. I feel safe on the bike, I have no fear, but at the moment I do not feel ready to get back in the peloton. The risk would be too great because my coordination is just not good enough. Once that feeling is back, I think I can return.”

Degenkolb admitted that missing out on the Classics season was a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering he was injured in such unlucky circumstances, but is unwavering in his desire to take the positives from the situation.

“In the beginning, it was hard to accept [missing the Classics],” Degenkolb said. “I have watched all the Classics on television and that’s quite interesting, you always see things you can learn something from. I have now set new targets.”

Degenkolb is expected to ride the Tour de France in July, the only grand tour in which he hasn’t won a stage.