John Degenkolb claims an overall victory at the Tour de Picardie 2012
John Degenkolb single-handedly claimed an overall victory and two stages at the Tour de Picardie 2012.
The cyclist rode brilliantly throughout the event and filled his bag with a stage 1 and a stage 2 victory at the race.
He was delighted after winning the event and thanked his team-mates for their superb support during the French race.
Degenkolb thanked all his team-mates including Ronan van Zandbeek, Roy Curvers, Albert Timmer, Tom Veelers, Bert de Backer, Ji Cheng and Dominic Klemme.
The 23-year-old gained full confidence after the first stage victory at the race and cited, "Cheng Ji worked very hard today to retrieve the attackers," said Degenkolb.
"Then the team protected me well and Tom Veelers gave me the perfect lead-out. That he finished fifth says it all. I’m proud of the team. Today everything was 100 percent right".
While commenting on the stage 2 of the race he explained, "Saturday will be a difficult stage with some hills in the final".
"We will have to control the race and everyone will look at us, but I’m hopeful that we can keep the jersey and maybe win a stage too".
The 23-year-old secured the top overall position by finishing the stage 3 of the race in a fastest time of 4 hours, 5 minutes and 1 second.
Gregory Henderson of Team Lotto- Belisol and Kenny Robert Van Hummel of Team Vacansoleil-DCM finished at the second and the third positions.
Stage 2 winner, Kenny Robert Van Hummel of Team Vacansoleil-DCM finished 10 seconds behind John after the final general classifications and occupied the second position.
Leonardo Duque of Team Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne finished further 5 seconds behind at the third position.
Stéphane Poulhies of Team Saur-Sojasun and Takashi Miyazawa of Team Saxo Bank achieved the fourth and the spots in the respective order.
Team Europcar finished at the top position after the final team’s classifications with Team Auber 93, Team Landbouwkrediet-Euphony, Team La Pomme-Marseille and Team Lotto-Belisol claiming the next four positions.
An overall victory has boosted the German’s confidence and he is now looking ahead at the most prestigious race of the season, the Tour de France 2012 as the next big goal of his 2012 season.
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