John Degenkolb will once again focus his season on the Classics, Tour de France, and his beloved Paris-Roubaix as he embarks on a new campaign in the World Tour. The Lotto Soudal rider shared his main goals for the year from the team's training camp in Spain, and the up-and-coming Wout Van Aert (Jumbo Visma) and Mathieu Van Der Pol (Alpecin Phoenix), who were benchmarks throughout most of last season told the media that they are not afraid of the new generation.

"You have to challenge, even if it is never easy. If you look back at the other races, they don't share all the victories, and they are winnable opponents. But it's not a time trial, and experience and tactics will come into play. But it's not a time trial and experience and tactics will do the talking.

"Considering what happened in most of the races last year, it's very good. I'm not afraid of racing with young riders. But I still remember when I turned pro more than 10 years ago, in 2011. But I gained a lot of experience, calmness, and smarts during that time. So I'm not afraid to compare myself with the young athletes in the peloton."

The former Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo winner had a mixed 2020 season. He crashed in Nice on the first stage of the Tour de France and finished outside the time limit, but closed out his campaign with a stage win at the Tour de Luxembourg and top-10 finishes at Ghent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, and the Dreiderghe Bruges des Pannees. These results spurred Degenkolb to a winter break.

"I just have to do my best and be confident. It's important to be up there and it shows that my time is not over yet, I've never been closer to the podium than in the 2020 Tour de Flanders. This gives me confidence and I feel really good. I believe I can shine again," Degenkolb said.

"After last year's Tour, I did everything I could to come back and race in Luxembourg. Running that race was a big boost and I went into the BinckBank Tour with a lot of confidence. I didn't feel very comfortable in the sprint and it was very hectic. But on the hard stages I felt good and confident to fight for the classics. It was good for me, good for the team, and it gave me confidence for next season."

Philippe Gilbert will not compete in the classics in the early spring due to injuries sustained in the Tour de France, while Caleb Yuan is focused on stage wins in the Grand Tour. Degenkolb's main target is Paris-Roubaix, the race that defined his career in 2015.

"Paris-Roubaix, my favorite race, will be a big target for me. For me, to repeat my victory in this race is my biggest dream. That's what I'm aiming for."

But the German Classics specialist also hopes to make the Tour de France team and compete in the world championships, which will be held this year in Belgium and favor the Classics riders.

"I want to be in the Tour and I haven't decided on a lineup yet. It's still pretty open. Of course there is the World Championships, and I definitely want to be there. I want to be at the top level," Degekolb said. I saw some of the parcours last year, and it was really nice, with some really short, hard hills. It won't be an easy race, it will be very technical. If I am in top condition, I can fight for results there. Representing your country is always special."