Hospitalised John Degenkolb confident for 2014 UCI Road World Championships

Berlin: German sprinter John Degenkolb, who recently won the green jersey as points leader on the Tour of Spain, has been hospitalised in Frankfurt with a fever, his manager Jorg Werner revealed on Wednesday.

"An injury to his right leg after a crash has become infected. For his own safety, John must stay a few days in hospital," Werner told German daily Bild.

The 25-year-old Degenkolb, who rides for the Giant-Shimano team, wrote on his Facebook page: "On my return, I could barely walk and the doctor immediately sent me to hospital where I`ve received antibiotics.

"I have to stay some days for observation but the world championships remain my objective," added Degenkolb, who won four stages on the Vuelta this year and has nine career victories in Spain.

The world championships take place between September 21-28 in Ponferrada, Spain, with the road race set for the final day.