Degenkolb and his “secret” to hold the record for the most days of racing without abandoning – International Cycling

2023-12-10 18:52:41

By @Nandodimaria

John Degenkolb, the German sprinter, holds the record for most days of racing without abandoning in the men’s professional peloton, with 142 days. At 34 years old, Degenkolb has completed 938 days of racing during his career. His record of abandonments stands at 11, with six DNS (Do Not Start) and one OTL (Out of Time Limit).

COL DU VAM, THE NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 24: John Degenkolb of Germany crosses the finish line during the 29th UEC Road Cycling European Championships 2023 – Elite Men ́s Road Race September 24, 2023 in Col du VAM, Netherlands. (Photo by Bas Czerwinski/Getty Images)

This achievement leaves him well ahead of other riders in this category, with Movistar’s Nelson Oliveira being next with 133 days without abandoning. Degenkolb attributes his “never say quit” approach to his determination and desire to compete and win in every race he enters, he says in conversation with GCN.

Although he has had difficult days and faced extreme weather conditions, Degenkolb considers cycling to be a mental game as well. Maintaining motivation and focus is key to overcoming difficult moments and continuing to compete, even when you are not in the fight for victory.

Despite his impressive record, Degenkolb recognizes that there are times when it may be necessary to abandon a race, but he will always do his best to keep his streak alive. His resilient approach and determined mentality have contributed to the continued success of his career, especially in the Classics, where he has garnered numerous victories over the years.

The German cyclist remembers one time in his career when the plan was to deliberately abandon: during the Giro d’Italia in 2013. Although he achieved the goal of winning a stage, he describes the feeling of abandoning as strange and not pleasant.

Degenkolb, affectionately known as “Dege,” considers not only his perspective as a rider, but also that of the organizers and fans. For him, abandoning a race without a valid reason can affect the image and overall experience of the competition.

With victories in one-day events, including Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, Degenkolb has proven his prowess in the Classics. His stamina and determination have allowed him to maintain his impressive record and remain a respected competitor in the professional peloton.

*Note: Some words were replaced with synonyms to detect plagiarism. Additionally, we want to report MARCA HORA, to the site ViewMe, and that another Latin American multimedia, which also steals the material, becomes evident when it publishes on the same day as us news that was actually from previous days and we decided to delay. If the incident is repeated, we will hold a public protest.

Fernando Estupiñán

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