Marcel Kittel: I’ll need my 2016 Giro legs to beat Cav at the Tour
German powerhouse says great Quick-Step team atmosphere key to finding his form
German sprint star Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) has said he will need to regain his 2016 Giro d’Italia form for this year’s Tour de France if he is to regain his position at the head of its sprint hierarchy.
Last year’s Giro saw Kittel take two emphatic stage wins over a field that included compatriot André Greipel and Frenchman Arnaud Démare, and pull on the leader’s pink jersey before leaving the race to recover for the Tour.
But two months later his Tour got off to a bad start when he had to watch Mark Cavendish don yellow after the first stage — a big season goal for both men. Kittel did win a stage, pipping Bryan Coquard by a hair’s breadth in Limoges, but he never showed the dominant form that he did at the Tour in 2014.
“Yes, yes, I’ve thought about it,” he said when asked whether the apparent resurgence of Cavendish was at the forefront of his mind, “and my plan is to bring the sprint from the Giro to the Tour this year.”
Watch: Marcel Kittel's Toughest Day
The German will miss the Italian race this year to concentrate solely on the Tour de France. “My plan goes to the Tour,” he said, and insisted he’d be unlikely to ride the Vuelta a España too: “If I only do three days at the Tour I might go…”
Speaking at his team’s presentation in Belgium in early January, Kittel didn’t divulge quite how he plans to replicate his Giro form although he insisted he was feeling good for January and that the convivial atmosphere between riders at Quick-Step was a key to him finding his best legs.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I had it at Giant too and it’s something I need for my own performance — an atmosphere of happy people. It means I can do my job as good as possible,” he said.
Team boss Patrick Lefevere has backed his charge to the hilt, deeming him a protected rider alongside fast-climbing Irish team-mate Dan Martin.
“I’m thankful for the trust of the team and I’m happy to pay that back with victories. That’s the goal,” said Kittel.
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
After cutting his teeth on local and national newspapers, James began at Cycling Weekly as a sub-editor in 2000 when the current office was literally all fields.
Eventually becoming chief sub-editor, in 2016 he switched to the job of full-time writer, and covers news, racing and features.
A lifelong cyclist and cycling fan, James's racing days (and most of his fitness) are now behind him. But he still rides regularly, both on the road and on the gravelly stuff.
-
Tweets of the week: Lidl-Trek go brat, some muddy riders at Paris-Tours, and Cav is the new Bond?
It's everyone's favourite cycling social media round-up
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Absolutely rapid': How to build the ultimate hill-climb bike – with help from the champions
From parts-bin gems to £500 saddles, here's how to pare down to go up
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Mark Cavendish to conclude professional cycling career in Singapore
Tour de France stage win record holder to bring curtain down on racing career at ASO end of season criteriums in Asia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to end his career at Tour de France Singapore Criterium
Event will be Cavendish's final appearance for Astana Qazaqstan after he won a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage in July
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published