John Degenkolb has been elected German Cyclist of the Year. The readers of RadSport Magazine appreciated the results of the German Team Argos-Shimano sprinter the most over the past season. World time trial champion Tony Martin finished second, André Greipel – who took three stage wins in the Tour the France – came in third.
“I want to thank everybody who voted for me. This encourages me to one day make it to the podium of a World Championship.”
Degenkolb scored 12 victories last season, one less than teammate and compatriot Marcel Kittel. But the 5 stage wins in the Vuelta a España were a bit more pleasing for German fans. Partly because of the wins of Degenkolb, Team Argos-Shimano received promotion to the World Tour. At the World Championships on the road in Limburg Degenkolb raced to 4th place and he won the UCI Europe Tour.
Degenkolb just returned from team training camp in Altea and is set to get some rest. It was heavy in the Spanish sun, but the young German knows why he’s suffering so much. “I know it’s okay to hurt yourself a little bit in the pre-season. That way you get to win races. And wins are the best way to give the best fans in the world something in return for their support.”
