Degenkolb set for 17th season as Picnic PostNL extend veteran road captain

The 37-year-old German, now in his 16th season as a professional, has signed through the end of 2027. It will continue one of the longest running relationships between rider and team in the current peloton, with Degenkolb having spent ten seasons across two spells with the team (2012-2016 and from 2022 till now).

Degenkolb first made his name with the team as a prolific finisher, winning ten stages at the Vuelta a España and a stage at the Giro d’Italia before reaching the peak of his career in 2015, when he won both Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix. A year later, he left for Trek-Segafredo, where he completed his set of stage wins in all three Grand Tours by taking a victory at the Tour de France.

Since returning to the Dutch set-up in 2022, Degenkolb has moved into a different role. No longer a protected sprinter or Classics leader, he is now a road captain and senior figure in a young squad.

“Even to this day, it’s still a big dream for me to be a professional cyclist,” Degenkolb said in a team statement. “Now, I’m already into my 16th year as a pro, which for me is like living my childhood dream. Extending that for another season into 2027 is something that brings me great personal joy.”

His value to Picnic PostNL, who claimed their first win of 2026 this week, is now measured less in results than in guidance. The team described him as a long-standing member, culture carrier and one of the sport’s respected figures, with his role centred on helping the next generation of riders manage the demands of the WorldTour.

Degenkolb said that responsibility has become an important part of the later stage of his career.

“Earlier in my career, when I was in a different role chasing those wins in the biggest races, I always relied on great road captains,” he said. “That showed me how important it is when you are young and ambitious to have experienced riders and people around you.”

“I want to be able to play that role for our young, talented and ambitious riders in the team,” he added. “It makes me really happy to have that opportunity for another season.”

In a sport increasingly ruled by numbers, constant pressure and shorter careers, Degenkolb’s new deal strikes a different note. At 37, his love for the sport is still enough to keep the story going.