"As a team we can be proud of how we rode" - John Degenkolb finishes eighth at European Championships
Cycling
John Degenkolb was unable to participate in the battle for medals during the European Cycling Championships in Drenthe, but was part of the leading group of ten riders that fought for victory. Ultimately, the entire podium consisted of Jumbo-Visma riders, which imposed Degenkolb in an interview with Eurosport afterwards.
"As a team we can be proud of how we rode. We handled this unique race with many bends and narrow roads well. We were well at the front for the entire race. "I was involved in the big crash in the initial phase," Degenkolb refers to the crash involving Bauke Mollema, who subsequently had to abandon the race.
"We then fought our way back to the front. Then on the local circuit it was a matter of staying at the front. Once again I received great support from my teammates. I am very happy that I was then part of that selective leading group. In the end the legs were good enough for eighth place. We can be very proud of that."
The Jumbo-Visma's dominance leaves Degenkolb stunned. "The men from Jumbo-Visma are at a different level, it seems. Apparently ten seconds is enough for such a difficult finale, with a long solo beforehand. Cheers to him. It's impressive to see how strong the human body can be."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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It's a good 8️⃣th place for @johndegenkolb atop the Col du Vam after a strong and smart race 👊🏻 #KeepChallenging #EuroRoad23 #Drenthe2023
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