Degenkolb sheds tears of joy after Milan-San Remo win

John Degenkolb was in tears after a late puncture cost him a chance of victory in last years Milan-San Remo but he shed tears of joy on the podium after winning this years race with a perfectly executed sprint in Via Roma.

Degenkolb was not one of the big-name favourites before the race after a quiet, below the radar, build-up at Paris-Nice. But the Giant-Alpecin team rode a great race and put all their chips on Degenkolb. His number came up, confirming yet again, after Marcel Kittels success at last years Tour de France, that Giant-Alpecin is currently the best sprint team in the peloton.

Last year I had tears in my eyes after I had the most disappointing day in my cycling life and this year I had tears in my eyes because I won, Degenkolb said in his post-race press conference.

I dont actually remember the last two kilometres of the race, so I will have to watch it again, he admitted. I didnt believe Id win fifty metres before the line. I definitely thought Id not be able to beat Alex (Kristoff) in the sprint because he started strong. But there was a difference in our power and speed. Before the line he died and I could overtake him. Crossing the line was pure emotion.

Degenkolb showed he had worked hard during the winter by winning the uphill finish at the Dubai Tour in early February. After that he finished second in a sprint at the Ruta del Sol and third on another stage in Paris-Nice but was happy to quietly prepare for Milan-San Remo without the tag of favourite, despite being perfectly suited to the tough finale of the first monument of the season.

I think that wasnt a disadvantage, he said, cracking yet another big smile.

I could prepare myself in the winter and came good and in shape like I wanted to. Last week wasnt successful as last year at Paris-Nice but we didnt panic because we didnt win a stage. Anything can happen in cycling, we didnt worry and I felt my shape was good and so focused on Milan-San Remo 100 per cent. We came here on Thursday and did a long ride and studied everything again. We did the same last year but this time we finished it off.

I think Im a rider with s big engine who is able to survive in Classic races. If theres a sprint in the end like Roubaix last year or Milan-San Remo today. Ive got a good chance to beat the other guys. I like it if everybody suffers and this was a hard race because of the weather conditions.

Save your legs, save your legs, save your legs

Degenkolb admitted that he carefully hid in the peloton for much of the race, only moving forward before the Capi climbs and of course the Poggio.

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Degenkolb sheds tears of joy after Milan-San Remo win