"You go wherever you can to avoid crashing": Degenkolb analyzes the increased amount of mechanical problems at Roubaix
Cycling
Paris-Roubaix 2026 once again lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest and most unpredictable races on the calendar, and few voices are better placed to dissect it than John Degenkolb. The German, now with Team Picnic PostNL, lined up for his 13th "Hell of the North", a race he knows as well as anyone and even won in 2015. His ties to the race are closer than anyone's... after all one of the cobbled sectors is named after Degenkolb himself.
At 37, Degenkolb finished 31st, but his aggression for much of the day gave him a front‑row view of an especially demanding edition. Beyond the result, his analysis zeroes in on a key theme: a spike in mechanical issues.
"I had the impression there were far more mechanicals than usual in the peloton this year, especially among the strongest riders," explained the German rider.
In his view, virtually everyone suffered some kind of issue on a day when all the prep in the world could not ward off mishaps: "We all spend a lot of time finding the right setup, reconning the route and testing equipment, but then a race like Sunday comes along and you realise anything can happen."
Speed as the decisive factor
For Degenkolb, the root cause is clear: the ever‑increasing pace of the race. The 2026 edition became the fastest in history by average speed, a factor that, he says, completely reshapes how you ride the cobbles.
"We were incredibly fast, always on the limit, and everyone around you was too. So you can’t even think about switching lines, not even about choosing one," he noted. This lack of room to manoeuvre on the pavé forces riders to accept higher‑than‑usual risk.
No room to avoid danger
The result of that extreme pace is an even more chaotic and dangerous race. "Basically, you go wherever you can to avoid crashing," Degenkolb summed up. Yet reacting instead of anticipating has direct consequences: "By doing that, you increase the risk of a mechanical or a puncture, because in practice it’s impossible to avoid the most treacherous rocks."
The German’s reflection shows how modern cycling’s rising speeds are reshaping even historic races like Paris–Roubaix. On terrain where technique and positioning have always been vital, the margin of control seems to shrink, turning the race into something even more unpredictable.
John Degenkolb in the 2026 season
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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- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
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