Emerging German sprinter Marcel Kittel is prepping for a battle royale against British world champion Mark Cavendish at this year's Tour de France.
The 24-year-old headlines the Pro Continental Argos-Shimano squad that is largely based around the second-year professional, who has extended his contract with the outfit until 2014.
Kittel has bested some of the world's best sprinters this season, including Cavendish (Sky) at last week's Ster ZLM Toer, with his stage win tally at seven before the Tour. He was one of the most celebrated neo-professionals last season notching some 17 stage wins including one at the Vuelta a Espana.
The Scheldeprijs champion will have the support of compatriots Johannes Fröhlinger, Patrick Gretsch as well as Frenchmen Yann Huguet and Matthieu Sprick and Dutchmen Tom Veelers, Koen de Kort, Albert Timmer and Roy Curvers at the June 30 to July 22 Grand Tour.
"I go to France to challenge Cavendish," Kittel said in a team statement. "I look forward to fighting him. He is currently the best sprinter of the world."
Argos-Shimano aims to win a stage whether that is via Kittel or an opportunist. De Kort has been part of Kittel's lead-out train this season but has himself been consistent with top 10 finishes at the Tour of California, Tour of Luxembourg and the Ster ZLM Toer.
"Our team has a world-class sprint train and with Marcel Kittel we have a young sprinter, who in the Tour will explore his possibilities at the highest level," team co-manager Sissy van Alebeek said.
Argos-Shimano team for 2012 Tour de France: Johannes Fröhlinger (GER), Patrick Gretsch (GER), Marcel Kittel (GER), Yann Huguet (FRA), Matthieu Sprick (FRA), Tom Veelers (NED), Koen de Kort (NED), Albert Timmer (NED), Roy Curvers (NED).
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
'The apparel industry is deeply broken': US apparel company Kitsbow to close
After Presca, Velofixen, Milltag and Machines for Freedom, Kitsbow is the latest cycling apparel company to announce its end of operations this year.
-
Computer company Acer is making an AI-powered bike and it’s got some wild features
Taiwanese hardware and electronics corporation, Acer, best known for its powerful laptop computers, appears to be diversifying its product offerings with the creation of a (super) smart e-bike
-
Marcel Kittel reveals the power numbers and effort behind his most successful Tour de France years
Marcel Kittel has revealed some of the staggering power numbers behind his most successful Tour de France years in a new study.
-
Marcel Kittel: I hope Tom Dumoulin finds the answers he needs
The German sprinter similarly took a break from cycling in May 2019, retiring a few months later
-
Marcel Kittel: ‘There’s no shame in change’
Sprinting icon Marcel Kittel reveals the reasons behind his retirement – and why cycling needs to open up about the extreme pressures endured by riders
-
Marcel Kittel says he's not surprised Tom Dumoulin wanted to leave Sunweb
The German quit racing in 2019 while Dumoulin transferred to Jumbo-Visma after injury curtailed his season
-
'I don’t know how depressed people feel, but I think I went in that direction' says Marcel Kittel, who also reveals post-cycling plans
The German sprinter has opened up about what his future holds
-
Marcel Kittel announces retirement from cycling
The German said "[I] didn't want to watch my son grow up via Skype"
-
'You miss the big sprinters' : How absence of Cavendish & Kittel has changed the Tour de France sprints
Riders give their views on how Tour de France sprints change without two of the race's best ever sprinters
-
Marcel Kittel's racing return in doubt with Jumbo-Visma deal unlikely
The German is on indefinite leave from cycling, but was linked to a return to racing with Jumbo-Visma
