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John Degenkolb to Paris-Roubaix 2018
Photo: YORICK JANSENS / imago images / Belga
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Degenkolb, in 2020 Paris-Roubaix was canceled for the first time since the Second World War due to the corona pandemic.
Now the race that should have taken place this Sunday has been canceled.
Are they sad?
Degenkolb:
Of course.
After all, Paris-Roubaix is not just a race for me, Paris-Roubaix is part of me, my life.
But postponed is not canceled.
The race is supposed to take place in autumn, on October 3rd, the day of German unity.
This has two advantages: On the one hand, a large number of Germans can now watch the race live on TV.
On the other hand, it would be nice if a German could win.
SPIEGEL:
You mean yourself?
Degenkolb:
I think that a couple of guys will be against it.
Nevertheless, I will get everything out of my body that day that is in there.
SPIEGEL:
You won Paris-Roubaix in 2015 as the second German and 119 years after Josef Fischer.
Can you bring us closer to the myth of this race?
Degenkolb:
If it rains before that, it's a 250 kilometer long mud fight.
If it doesn't rain, it's a 250-kilometer-long cloud of dust.
In addition, there is cycling history under every stone.
There are good reasons why the race is called the Hell of the North.
It is by far my favorite race.
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