Cycling: Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) actually wanted to start in France at Paris-Nice. But now the German has changed his plans at short notice. Marcel Kittel will not start racing again until March 7th and take part in Tirreno-Adriatico.
Marcel Kittel drives Tirreno-Adriatico
Whether intentionally or unintentionally: With the change of plan, Marcel Kittel is avoiding some strong sprinters. Some top sprinters have registered for Paris-Nice from March 4th to 11th. The French Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and Arnaud Démare (FDJ), the Italians Matteo Trentin (Mitchelton-Scott) and Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors), the Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) and the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), and the three Germans André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Phil Bauhaus (Sunweb) and John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo). With the exception of Trentin, Démare and Bouhanni, all these sprinters have already celebrated at least one victory in this young year. Viviani cheered five times and Groenewegen four times. Marcel Kittel, spoiled by success, is still waiting for his first success of the season. Like our big one Sprint analysis for the third stage of the Abu Dhabi Tour occupied, but he is getting in better and better shape.
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/02/phil-bauhaus-abu-dhabi-tour/
Finally: Marcel Kittel meets Fernando Gaviria
However, the assertion that Marcel Kittel is avoiding the top sprinters with this change of plan is not entirely correct. After all, he also meets fast people at Tirreno-Adriatico - even if there are not that many and they have not won so far in 2018. Among other things, he meets an old friend. Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) is also at the start in Italy. His former teammate has already won four stages this season. He cheered just as often at last year's Giro d'Italia. Just a few months later, Marcel Kittel was even more successful in the Tour de France with five stage wins. Cycling fans had to wait a long time for this duel. The two have never met in a race in their careers. At Tirreno-Adriatico this will now be unavoidable. Many experts believe that the duel Marcel Kittel vs Fernando Gaviria will determine the coming years. At Tirreno-Adriatico there could also be a laughing third party: Caleb Ewan, Peter Sagan and Mark Cavendish certainly don't want to admit defeat.
https://www.velomotion.de/2018/02/marcel-kittel-interview-abu-dhabi-tour/
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