Marcel Kittel pleased with win in 'hectic' Tour of Britain sprint
Marcel Kittel comments on the opening stage of the 2014 Tour of Britain in Liverpool
“Hectic and messy” is how Marcel Kittel described his winning sprint on stage one of the Tour of Britain in Liverpool.
The Giant-Shimano sprinter beat Italian Nico Ruffoni (Bardiani-CSF) by half a bike-length with an injured Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma–QuickStep) settling for third in the 104km race.
But Kittel’s leadout was made complicated before a crash further down the peloton opened up an opportunity for team-mate Tom Veelers to set the German up.
He said: “It was pretty hectic and messy with the crash at one kilometre before the finish.
“We decided during the race to try and stay on the right side of the road. After the last right corner I thought it was a wrong decision because we were pretty far to the left and it was hard to get riders up through the right.
“Riders try to move up on the left and the right side and the road went to the left a bit and a lot of riders stayed on the right and that was when they crashed.
“Luckily after that crash we could move up and go to the front. Tom Veelers chose a really good moment to go right to the front. He timed it well to protect me from the wind so I could save myself for the sprint.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Discussing Cavendish’s crash, Kittel said that such an incident “can affect your concentration and your focus.” He added: “If you have pain as well it’s not perfect but he still tried to sprint.”
Kittel is still not appreciative of teams only having six riders in the Tour of Britain, saying that it makes it difficult to control the race.
“It is difficult because when Mark crashed today we could only use a maximum of two guys in the wind (to wait for Cavendish but to control the breakaway). We were lucky that Sky helped us.
“If you have only two or three guys to pull it can be close with the breakaway.”
Mark Cavendish taken to hospital after Tour of Britain crash
Manxman fell heavily after hitting Rapha Condor-JLT team car attempting to rejoin peloton after comfort break.
Marcel Kittel takes opening Tour of Britain stage win in Liverpool
Mark Cavendish involved in crash during Tour of Britain opener; Marcel Kittel takes race lead
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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
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
-
'It's not worth risking his long term health': DSM-Firmenich withdraw concussed Romain Bardet from Tour de France
DSM-Firmenich enact their concussion protocol to withdraw the Frenchman from the race
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Marcel Kittel: ‘I believe in Mark Cavendish'
The 14 time Tour de France stage winner backs Manxman to grab record breaking 35th stage win in the coming days
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'This is insane': Alberto Dainese comes back from illness to triumph in photo finish on Giro d'Italia stage 17 sprint
DSM rider finished last on Sunday's stage with a stomach bug, but bounced back to take win in his home region
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘It’s been nice rubbing shoulders with the big boys’ - Great Britain’s Max Poole shines at Tour of the Alps
20-year-old won the best young rider classification at five day stage race in Austria and north east Italy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jumbo-Visma set to use adjustable tyre pressure systems at Paris-Roubaix
The Dutch team and DSM will both utilise different systems on the cobblestones of the ‘Hell of the North’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Pfeiffer Georgi relishes new leadership role at Team DSM
'I feel like I’m able to be more in the race,' says the in-form Brit
By Tom Davidson Published