Jens Voigt: Experience, not speed, key to win ‘unmissable’ Spring Classics

Voigt, 47, who in 2014 set a new hour record, and won two individual stages of the Tour de France in 2001 and 2006, also specialised in one-day races and Classics, winning Grand Prix des Nations, (2001), Paris–Bourges (2003) and Duo Normand (1999, 2001).

And the former Team CSC rider gave Eurosport his take on the Classics.

The Spring Classics are the first big cycling highlight of the year. In the past, there used to be a certain type of classics-racer with a specific focus only on the classic races.

For those, the cycling season after Paris-Roubaix and Liège-Bastogne-Liège was almost over. They went on holiday after these races and only returned to the autumn races or to the UCI World Champs.

But times have changed, and in modern cycling today, this is no longer the case. Riders like Greg Van Avermaet also want to win Tour de France stages and want to slip into a yellow or green jersey.

The Classics tend to have hilly profiles and contain lots of steep climbs, so it is a good marker for who will be in shape at the Giro d'Italia. In the past, it has been the case that the winner or the podium finisher of Liège-Bastogne-Liège have also done well in the Giro. That's why it's twice as interesting to watch the Classics.

An incredible atmosphere generated but thousands of spectators make the Classics so special. Does that push the riders even more?

The enthusiasm is incredible. Paris-Roubaix for example, how many spectators stand on the dusty roads and often during rainy weather along the route? Thousands or maybe even a million fans.

As a rider, you know why you're taking on the race, the hardships, the stress and also the danger: because of the people’s passion. At crucial passages, they cheer and give everything – that is epic! Such emotion can only be seen at a football Champions League final or at the Olympics.

Experience counts for a lot; and final speed rather less. You need to have the stamina to win one of the Classics and that comes only through experience. Especially at Paris-Roubaix, something goes always wrong - a defect, a puncture or a fall in front of you and you suddenly lose twenty positions. You have to learn to never give up and not to panic. Because the race is never over. You have to avoid being completely exhausted during the race, too.

The races are too different - but there are always two types of riders who look good in both Flanders and Roubaix, like Fabian Cancellara, Niki Terpstra or Peter Sagan.

Then there is the other type of cyclist like Alejandro Valverde. These riders look good at the Amstel Gold Race and in Liège. In the last few years, the performance level at the top increased and there more riders in the Peloton for a long time.

Bernard Hinault won Liege-Bastogne-Liège once by just under 11 minutes with an 80-km solo attack. If now, the stronger riders like Valverde or Chris Froome attacked 80 km before the finish line, then they wouldn’t even be in the top 10. The Peloton would just laugh and say: ‘let them ride, we’ll catch you later.’ The races have become more difficult, because of the improved fitness of all the riders.

I think he can repeat his Paris-Roubaix victory. He won a Tour de France stage in a very convincing manner last year, that has led parts of the Roubaix classic. He’s in a good shape, his team is ready and they’re able to put him in a good position. He is certainly the German rider with the greatest potential.

Firstly, if you follow the Classics, you learn that cycling is a team sport. Although everyone is alone on his bike, without the team, nobody can create success. There are 25 teams with 25 plans at the start, and sometimes there are still different plans within each team.

Depending on the race, objectives change, and you have to react at short notice. Who is in the lead group? How far is the group way? Who feels good, who is behind? This tactical battle is best seen in the Classics.

And third, for me, the Classics are the modern version of gladiatorial combat. The pros put everything at the starting line. It's a tough fight, where everyone struggles to exhaustion.