When Maximilian Schachmann of Bora-Hansgrohe took the overall victory in the French WorldTour stage race Paris-Nice on March 14, few could have predicted the horrific damage the coronavirus would inflict on the world in the coming months.

It was the last major race in cycling, and Schachmann won the opening stage and rode well in the rest of the race to take the overall win ahead of Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) and EF Pro Cycling's Sergio Igita.

"I can't complain about the results so far in 2020. The training over the winter seems to have paid off and I'm gaining more experience as a rider."

Paris-Nice was shortened by a day due to the coronavirus crisis and most sporting events around the world were cancelled, but there seemed to be little indication that the 26-year-old Schachmann could not carry on winning regardless.

"I think I've grown consistently over the last few years," he said. In [preseason] training camp, I already looked like I came out of the winter with very strong legs." The difference from previous years is that I have taken on more of a leadership role and my improved performance is reflected in the results. When I'm working as a helper, that growth may still be happening, but it's not always as clearly visible."

Asked if he is considering a transition from a classic rider to a star of stage racing, Schachman said he is keeping his options open.

"Apart from the Tour de Suisse and the major tours, you can't ride longer than Paris-Nice," he said.

"That said, I'm still open to how much longer races I can pursue in the future. I'm happy with my current level, but I hope to expand my capabilities as a rider in the years to come."

The Liège-Bastogne-Liège event, which was supposed to be held on Sunday but was postponed and will now likely be held in early October, was won last year at the same event with then Bora Hansgrohe teammate Davide Formolo (now with UAE Team Emirates) It was one of the major goals of the season for Schachmann, who finished third behind Jakob Fuglsang (Astana).

"I'm not the kind of person who spends a lot of time on 'what ifs,'" Schachmann said.

"Instead, I try to do my best and keep training despite these difficult times. 'It's not going to be Liège-Bastogne-Liège, though, it's going to be the Tour de France. At the end of the day I have to keep myself motivated and my ultimate goal is to go into the next race in the best shape possible."