John Degenkolb proved himself at Paris-Nice as a rider more than capable of handling the lumpy stuff. Victory on stage three was followed by a spirited defence of his yellow jersey – albeit an unsuccessful one – the next day and fully justified the faith Giant-Shimano place in him as one of their Classics leaders.

Degenkolb found himself in the shadow of compatriot and team-mate Marcel Kittel in 2013, but his cobbled Classics campaign was a timely reminder he is equally as dangerous a competitor.

Victory at Gent-Wevelgem was fully deserved and showed Degenkolb can more than handle the Flandrian cobbles, and he showed himself at the Ronde too – ultimately finishing in a group which also contained Peter Sagan, Zdenek Stybar, Sylvain Chavanel and Edvald Boasson Hagen.

It was little surprise, therefore, to see the 25-year-old in contention again at Paris-Roubaix, holding in his own alongside the likes of Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen and Bradley Wiggins.

Last year it was Niki Terpstra who won the sprint from the chasing group (behind the winner, Cancellara, and second place Sep Vanmarcke), and this time out it was Degenkolb. For Terpstra, of course, that led to victory in 2014. Keep an eye on John Degenkolb in 12 months time.