John Degenkolb is undoubtedly one of the riders of the spring. Does the German also believe in similar success in the Tour? "I want to win my first stage in the Tour," Degenkolb described his ambitions. Teammate Tom Dumoulin is the Dutch hope for the yellow jersey. "But for me it is not an obsession," he said.

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Alongside Tom Dumoulin, John Degenkolb leads Giant-Alpecin in the Tour de France. 

"I'm counting down the days to the start. I want to get rid of that eternal second place in the Tour and I will go for a stage win," the German said according to Sporza.

"With Tom Dumoulin we have a rider in the team that is a favorite for the opening time trial, so there is no stress for me. But it does not mean that I'm not ambitious. I have never won a stage in the Tour de France. I hope to change that in my third Tour."

Degenkolb is aiming for more than just the stage with the cobbles. 

"In that stage I am one of the favourites as I am the winner of Paris-Roubaix but I do not want to focus just on that. I also look at other stages and am very flexible."

Marcel Kittel is not there and that is an advantage for Degenkolb. 

"Normally the big bunch sprint were for Marcel. But as he's not there, I will have to try in those stages too I'm not a sprinter, but with a good team around me I should be able to compete for the victory.

"The green jersey? First, we focus on a stage victory. If the green comes into sight, then maybe we should try but it is not the priority. The green jersey is a big dream of mine but at present it is not on the agenda."

The dream scenario for the Dutch fans: Tom Dumoulin will be in yellow after the opening time trial in Utrecht.

"I look forward to the challenge," said the Dutchman. "I am really looking forward to it and just want to ride hard."

The last Dutchman to wear yellow was Erik Breukink in 1989.

"The expectations are big, but I'm not concerned with that," daid Dumoulin. "I just want to deliver a good performance. Of course I want yellow, but it's not an obsession."