John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin)
John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin)
Rolling out as defending champion, John Degenkolb is undoubtedly the man to watch after his Milan-San Remo triumph last week.
Twelve months ago he won Gent-Wevelgem to overcome his bitter disappointment at a puncture costing him a shot at La Primavera, but this time his victory on the Via Roma means he’ll start the race riding the crest of a wave.
While he has just two victories to his name this season, those wins have come in impressive style – first atop the Hatta Dam in Dubai before his stunning San Remo sprint success.
The German proved himself as a worthy contender in the Classics last time out, with his victory in Wevelgem followed by second at Paris-Roubaix.
Of the sprinters, he is one of those most at home over the short Classics climbs and he proved last year the Kemmelberg holds no fears for him.
It is too unpredictable a race, and too strong a field, to call him favourite but if he comes out of E3 Harelbeke unscathed it will take a lot to stop Degenkolb making it two from two in Wevelgem.
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