By joining the moves on the final climbs, John Degenkolb proved that he was one of the strongest riders in Paris-Tours. Howevr, no one wanted to go to the finish with the fast German and so he was unable to defend his title.

Despite looking on strong form, and able to respond to any attacks thrown his way, John Degenkolb was denied the chance to defend his victory at Paris – Tours as two of the day’s original breakaway held out to contest the victory by a matter of seconds ahead of the chasing bunch.

Degenkolb eventually rolled over the line outside of the top 20, not contesting the minor places, and as he crossed the line his 2014 season comes to a close.

A seven rider break formed in the early stages of the 237.5km ‘sprinter’s classic’, and behind Team Giant-Shimano were quick to show their intentions, helping to set the pace in the peloton behind. The weather conditions were not helping the rider’s efforts out on the course, with rain falling on the race, making the roads and twisty, technical nature of the course treacherous.

The team did a good job in staying out of trouble and keeping Degenkolb well placed. Coming into the final 20km the seven out front started to break up and three riders pulled clear as the gap dropped to near a minute. The Team Giant-Shimano jerseys were prominent at the front of the peloton driving the pace and keeping out of trouble as more and more riders came to grief behind on the slippery corners and roundabouts.

On the penultimate climb of the day the attacks came from the bunch and a select group of 13 riders formed at the front, with Degenkolb well supported by Ramon Sinkeldam who continued to drive the pace in pursuit of the break which was now down to just two.

The gap was less than 30 seconds but will no help in the chase, Sinkeldam was left to do all the work on his own and on the final climb he dropped off the pace. He valiantly fought back up to the front to help Degenkolb once again but he was making little inroads on his own against two out front as the kilometres ticked by.

The chasing bunch was hot on their heels and coming into the final two kilometres a larger peloton formed behind the two escapees, and in all of the movement the gap to the break grew slightly and their chances became more and more likely.

Coming into the final 500m they still held a decent advantage and it was all over for those behind. Jelle Wallays (TopSport-Vlaanderen – Baloise) proved fastest to the line, while behind Degenkolb eased off the pace and rolled in behind the group fighting for third place.

Reaction

After the dust had settled at the finish, Team Giant-Shimano coach Christian Guiberteau said: “We’ve got nothing to regret from today’s race, everyone rode really well and we stuck to our plan but it didn’t work for us today. Démare and John were the two big favourites and the others will look to arrive without them, so when John and Ramon were ahead in the front group there was no cohesion.

“It was chaotic at the end, especially with the rain making it tough and slippery out there. Nikias [Arndt] came down with around 20km to go and we missed him in the final – the way he was riding I’m sure he would have been able to go with John and Ramon’s group.

“Everyone worked hard today though, with Stammie [Stamsnijder] and Thierry [Hupond] doing a lot of work on the front, and everyone else did their job well too with Ramon showing strong legs late in the race as he tried to bring the break back.”

From the team bus, Sinkeldam added: “It was a long day out there and the wet roads in the second half of the race really played into the hands of the break making the chase behind harder. Stammie and Thierry did a great job on the front during the race and at the end I was feeling really good and did what I could to help John. When I pulled away in the final kilometres I didn’t realise that I didn’t have the group with me and that was a surprise, but I was giving everything for John today.

“I’ve been feeling strong ever since the Vuelta and hopefully I can use this again on Tuesday’s last race at Putte – Kapellen.”