Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and John Degenkolb continue journey together

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are delighted to reveal that the experienced John Degenkolb has extended his contract with the team through the 2025 campaign, where he will take on his ninth season in the distinctive two-stripes.

Hailing from Gera in Germany, Degenkolb first joined the team now known as Team dsm-firmenich PostNL back in 2012, going on to take two incredible Monument titles with the team in 2015 at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, plus a multitude of Grand Tour stage victories and many more wins. Departing for pastures new in 2017, Degenkolb returned to the team in 2022, and has proven to be of value to the squad both on and off the bike. Solid performances throughout the recent two seasons have seen Degenkolb claim several top tens with the team, which of course includes that heart-breaking edition of Paris-Roubaix in 2023 where he crashed out of the leading group, going on to take seventh place. Yet, it is not only his strong legs that Degenkolb brings to the team as the now 35-year-old has a vast amount of experience and knowledge. With that, his role as a road and team captain is crucial in bringing together the different groups and riders as the team aims for more success in the future.

Degenkolb said: “I’ve spent most of my pro career in what is the now Team dsm-firmenich PostNL environment and it feels like family to me. It’s a dream to get the chance to extend my contract with the team for another year. After my five years away, when I returned to the team in 2022, we made the very conscious decision to take on a new role. It’s so much fun to race alongside all these young athletes, to share my experience, and play a part in the progress and development of their talents. I take motivation out of the previous season in general, but also in particular from my favourite race, Paris-Roubaix. More than ever though I’m still driven by my passion for cycling and everything around it. My big dream is to help the young riders to find that same passion for racing that I have, and I want to be an important piece in the puzzle for the team, helping them to win the biggest cycling races on the calendar.”

Team dsm-firmenich PostNL head coach Rudi Kemna added: “John has been and is an important rider for us on the bike, and we’ve shared some great moments together in the past, but he is also incredibly important off the bike too. He is a real culture carrier and an experienced guy, who is always motivated and brings energy, but also accountability, to the group. He has the right mentality to help bring those around him up to the next level and that is something we value a lot as a team. We’re looking forward to continuing with John for another season, and we’re excited for where that can take us as a team.”