In Paris-Roubaix, more than in any other race, a flat tire 100km from the finish can ruin a race.

No one knows that better than race veteran, former winner, and lover of the northern hellhole John Degenkolb. The 35-year-old German has attempted Paris-Roubaix 12 times in his long career, winning the race in 2015.

His 11th place in Paris-Roubaix was not a compliment, only after suffering a puncture in Allenberg and losing contact with the front in Mont-en-Pevere, 50 km away.

But when Degenkolb talks about Paris-Roubaix, the dsm-firmenich-PostNL rider can look back on a day on the bike, even if he finished 130th in the all-delayed race.

"Paris-Roubaix runs through my veins," Degenkolb told the press at the Velodrome infield after an emotional reunion with his family.

"It always does. It's the most brutal, wildest race imaginable. Nothing compares to this race."

"I don't know why or why not, but this race is like it was made for me. Being here means everything to me. Being able to give it my all here every year is everything to me."

"Everything I sacrifice for this sport, everything my family gives is worth it. To be here and to be a part of this cycling tradition is just amazing."

There is little doubt about Degenkolb's commitment to the Queen of the Classics. After all, Degenkolb's name is engraved on the sector of Hornan a Vandigny (this year 83 km from the finish), where four years ago he raised money to save the junior Paris-Roubaix.

After suffering an unfortunate puncture this year, he once again led the pack through this sector. About 10 km after world champion Mathieu Van der Pol jumped out to reclaim his title, he dropped out of the back group.

"It was really a race of mixed emotions," Degenkolb said of the race. "I asked my mom if I should be happy or disappointed. I think I'm happy. My mom told me to be happy, so I'm happy."

"I don't think I was in the best form. I fell in training on Friday. Then I got a flat tire in Allenberg, and I rode the whole Allenberg with a flat front tire. Fortunately, the materials are so much better now that we have tire inserts (Vittoria Airliner Road: editor's note) that allow us to run to some extent even when the tire runs out of air.

"Then we recovered somehow. I benefited greatly from Riddle Trek and Mads Petersen. I owe a lot to Riddle Trek and Mads Petersen. He had a flat tire too, but they got him back in front. After Mont-en-Pevere, I didn't have the legs to lead."

So Paris-Roubaix was a day of great confusion.

Perhaps the only man in Sunday's race who does not have a thread of bad luck to spin into the Paris-Roubaix story is Mathieu van der Poel, the winner who, like Degenkolb nine years ago, hoisted Roubaix's famous cobbled trophy.

"It's phenomenal. It's just on a different level," Degenkolb said of the two-time champion. Of all the racers I've seen in my career, this was the most impressive."

"It was the most impressive."

"It was the most impressive.

"And that's not just today. I think everything he has put his hands on in the last year or two has turned to gold."

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