John Degenkolb and Marcel Kittel are the two sprinters of the Argos-Shimano Tour de France team. Kittel will be leading in the flat stages while Degenkolb will assume that role in the hillier stages. The sprinters know each other quite well, as they rode many years for the same amateur team in Germany before being reunited at Team Argos-Shimano.

Asked how they help each other achieve their goals, the riders elaborated: “We have the same goal, and that is winning a stage with the team,” Degenkolb explained. “It doesn’t matter if it is Marcel or me – but of course I hope we both win a stage. I am learning a lot from Marcel about the Tour de France, when he talks about his experiences the first week. It makes me very curious and proud to participate in such a big event. It also gives me an idea of how to prepare for such a big and hectic event.”

Marcel Kittel also pointed to the fact that the pair regularly work on perfecting the so-operation in the sprints. “We also train with each other, especially the sprint training sessions. It is really good to do this together, as we are improving ourselves. In these training sessions we help each other raise our game. You get everything out of the tank, which helps us achieve our goals.”

As a rule, Degenkolb works as part of the Argos-Shimano lead-out train for Kittel. A role he says he has no problems with. “Not at all. We have different specialties, and I will get my chances to sprint for victory as well, but in more difficult stages.”
Kittel for his part emphasized Degenkolb’s physical strength and sense of the big picture. “I am very happy with John in the lead-out train. He is very strong and has a good overview in a hectic sprint. It really helps that he is a sprinter himself.”

When quizzed about the secret of the Team Argos-Shimano lead-out train the duo pointed to the team-spirit prevalent in the squad.
“The team spirit,” said Kittel. “Everybody knows and trusts each other and knows what to do. We always stay calm and together with the Race Course Analysis System from our scientist Teun van Erp we know what is ahead of us in the final kilometres.”
Degenkolb concurred. “I agree – and also, every link in the chain is important, and the environment in the team is created to improve every link.”