With Milan-San Remo success already to his name this spring, the pressure was arguably off John Degenkolb on the cobbles, particularly after crashing at E3 Harelbeke.

That crash left him short of the form needed to defend his Gent-Wevelgem title – though the German bounced back well to finish seventh at the Tour of Flanders.

He saved his best until last though, with a stunning ride at Paris-Roubaix to go one better than last year’s second place.

Knowing nobody would want to ride with him into the Roubaix Velodrome, he was left to fend for himself – striking out alone to catch Yves Lampaert (Etixx-QuickStep) and Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing) after their decisive attack.

With no support from his rivals, Degenkolb had to do much of the work in keeping that trio – and then what became a seven-man leading group – clear.

And despite that, and the fact his rivals had been desperately trying to rid themselves of his presence in the front group throughout the race, he had enough in reserve to take a masterful victory in the final sprint.

Degenkolb is no longer the lesser of the two Germans in Giant-Alpecin’s sprinting armoury – the Vuelta a Espana green jersey last year and two Monument wins this season having ensured he is now regarded as just as potent a threat as Marcel Kittel.

When it comes to the one-day Classics, he is – like Kristoff – one of the new men to watch.