Lotto-Soudal Cycling Team (Belgium) - Press Relase: Lotto Soudal welcomes John Degenkolb to the team next year. The 30-year-old German trades Trek-Segafredo for Lotto Soudal and signed an agreement until the end of 2021. Degenkolb turned pro in 2011 and evolved into an excellent Classics rider, whose strong sprint is an extra trump card at the end of a tough race or on a technical finish. In 2015, he triumphed in both Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, which saw him add two Monuments to his palmares. Early 2016, ‘Dege’ had to miss his beloved spring Classics due to a serious collision with a car. However, the German fought his way back to the top, claiming an emotional win at the Tour de France stage nine, which finished in Roubaix, as the absolute highlight. Degenkolb now opts for a new adventure with Lotto Soudal and already looks ahead.

John Degenkolb:

“The talks with Lotto Soudal have revealed that there are many similarities between the team’s goals and mine. It makes sense that a Belgian team with a long history in cycling wants to excel during the Classics. That will be the aim for the first part of the season. In addition, I’m not slow at the finish, especially after a tough race. Of course, I also look forward to working with Caleb Ewan, who will undoubtedly be our number-one sprinter for his specific goals. But with my experience, I can provide added value for him and for Lotto Soudal. The team is often active on two or three fronts, which increases the chance to obtain nice results.”

“I am firmly convinced that I have reached the age to earn good results on the highest level and to keep performing during the most important races. I know the races, the courses and I have the physical capacities. I already look forward to preparing the 2020 season and to getting to know everybody. Me and Philippe Gilbert can make a complementary duo. We get along really well, I admire him as one of the best Classics riders and with his style of racing, opportunities will come along for all of us. The coming weeks, my goals are to be found in La Vuelta and the World Championships, where I want to conclude my three-year period at Trek-Segafredo as good as possible.”

Marc Sergeant, sports manager at Lotto Soudal, is delighted that John Degenkolb will be part of the team next year.