Marcel Kittel opens season account with victory at People's Choice Classic
British champion Peter Kennaugh animates Tour Down Under prelude criterium
Marcel Kittel celebrated a convincing victory at the People’s Choice Classic criterium in Adelaide, Australia today defending his title on the back of a commanding showing from his Giant-Alpecin team.
The 26-year-old best Juan Jose Lobato (Movistar) and Wouter Wippert (Drapac) at the end of the fast-paced 51km race that acts as a prelude to the Tour Down Under beginning Tuesday.
“I’m always nervous before the first race,” Kittel said. “I want to have that first win immediately with the team, if it’s possible, and I’m super happy it worked out today.”
British national road champion Peter Kennaugh was part of a four-man break including Mathew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), Calvin Watson (Trek) and Dario Cataldo (Astana) that eventually went clear on the 1.7km circuit. The quartet held a maximum advantage of about 31 seconds, with Giant-Alpecin assembled in single file and ever vigilant at the front of the peloton, before rejoining the main group inside the last 14km.
Kittel lost two team-mates in Lawson Craddock and Simon Geschke, who went out the back with some two laps remaining having done their bit.
>>> Gallery: best photos from the People's Classic 2015
"That’s an indication how hard it was," said Giant-Alpecin sports director Addy Engels. "They worked really hard and the speed was simply too high to stay in the bunch in the final. I didn’t have the feeling it was an easy victory but best way to start, of course."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The German fast-man Kittel however still had Koen de Kort in the finale, launching his sprint off the Dutchman’s wheel inside the last 200m.
Kennaugh was happy with his showing ahead of the Tour Down Under, which the 25-year-old is competing at for the first time.
“I wasn’t really looking forward to this crit that much to be honest, after seeing it the last couple of years, all these crashes and stuff, but today it was good,” Kennaugh said. “It’s nice to get out there and show the jersey. It beats just sitting at the back or something like that.”
Kittel will have another opportunity to add to his 2015 victory count when the Tour Down Under begins with a flat stage on Tuesday. Kennaugh is set to ride in support of Sky team-mate Richie Porte, who has title aspirations.
Twitter: @SophieSmith86
Results
People's Choice Classic, East End, Adelaide, 51km
1. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Giant-Alpecin 1-02-41
2. Juan Jose Lobato (Spa) Movistar
3. Wouter Wippert (Ned) Drapac
4. Chris Sutton (Aus) Sky
5. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM
6. Gianni Meersman (Bel) Etixx-Quick-Step
7. Rudiger Selig (Ger) Katusha
8. Samuel Dumoulin (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
9. Mark Renshaw (Aus) Etixx-Quick-Step
10. Greg Henderson (NZl) Lotto-Soudal
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
Specialized Crux DSW Comp: race-ready US alloy featherweight vs British gravel
The aluminium Crux shares many of the benefits of the carbon model but at a more wallet-friendly price point
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
Pro cyclo-cross rider disqualified and fined after stomping on opponent's bike
Eli Iserbyt apologised for 'rage of anger' at event in Beringen
By Tom Davidson Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Richie Porte's crown is safe: Tour Down Under returns without Willunga Hill in 2023
The race is back on the WorldTour calendar for 2023, but Australian ace's favourite Willunga Hill won't feature
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Extinction Rebellion planning to disrupt Santos Festival of Cycling
Activists will blockade routes on the race in protest against the title sponsor of the Adelaide-based event
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Postponed Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans races may take place ahead of September Worlds
The races, if the rumour is true, will be taking place before the UCI World Championships in Wollongong, Australia
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Pete Kennaugh: Dave Brailsford said to me, ‘trust me, normal life sucks’
The 32-year-old speaks on his struggles and how he is now plotting his return to the sport
By Jonny Long Last updated
-
Former British champion Pete Kennaugh considering racing comeback: 'It's belonging, normality, freedom, this is who I am, purpose'
The Brit stepped away from the sport due to ongoing mental health issues
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
‘You can see the power you need to survive the Tour de France’ - Marcel Kittel reflects on his most successful years
Marcel Kittel retired from professional cycling as not only one of the best sprinters of his generation, but one of the most successful in the history of the Tour de France.
By Alex Ballinger Published