Marcel Kittel leaves Giro d'Italia after stage eight

After five tough stages in Italy, Marcel Kittel has called time on his 2016 Giro d'Italia - leaving the race after stage eight

Marcel Kittel on stage five of the 2016 Giro d'Italia

(Image credit: Watson)

Two stage wins, a day in the pink jersey and five stages in the lead of the points classification - Marcel Kittel left the Giro d'Italia after stage eight after a pretty successful week.

The German sprinter won both road stages in the Netherlands to start the Giro last Saturday and Sunday but was unable to replicate his early form when the race moved on to Italy from Tuesday.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.