Marcel Kittel decides not to use disc brakes on Abu Dhabi Tour stage two
German sprinter rides a Specialized Venge with rim brakes on second stage

Marcel Kittel at the 2016 Giro d'Italia (Sunada)
Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) will not use disc brakes on the second stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour after yesterday's controversial crash with Owain Doull (Team Sky), saying that he has made the decision out of respect for his fellow riders.
Doull and Kittel were two of a number of riders to come down in a crash in the final kilometre of the stage, with Doull's shoe and foot being cut. Speaking to journalists after the stage, Doull said that he was sure that the cuts had been caused by the disc brakes on Kittel's bike.
Watch: Abu Dhabi Tour stage one highlights
Despite considerable social media debate over whether Kittel's disc brakes were in fact the cause of the cuts (with footage of the crash appearing to show Doull crash close to the rusty leg of a race barrier while Kittel's bike seemed to bounce away in the other direction), the German sprinter has opted to play it safe on stage two, racing on his spare bike - a rim brake-equipped Specialized Venge ViAS.
Kittel's decision is in line with the words of rider union representative Adam Hansen, who said that if he was in Marcel Kittel's situation then he would choose not to use disc brakes, even if disc brakes are yet to be proved as the cause of Doull's injuries.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
DMT KM30 shoe review: knitted gravel shoes with a healthy dose of Italian style
DMT's take on the knitted shoe, which works well for relaxed rides and longer distances but lacks support for hard efforts
By Neal Hunt Published
-
With incredible battery life and hard-to-beat value, the Coros Dura is a solid little computer yet I’ll be sticking with Garmin - here’s why
The Dura is a sleek GPS cycling computer with impressive battery life and performance, but it falls short when riding off the beaten path.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers say they will work with British Cycling to get Tour of Britain back on ‘as quickly as possible’
Ben Swift and Owain Doull both say it would be a "shame" were the Tour of Britain to be no more
By Adam Becket Published
-
Men’s elite road race halted by protest at World Championships
Scottish environmental group This Is Rigged claim responsibility for the disruption
By Tom Thewlis Published
-