Foto: Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com
Marcel Kittel: “On my request Team KATUSHA ALPECIN (TKA) and I have mutually decided to an early termination of my current contract.
It was for me a long decision process where I raised a lot of questions about how and where I want to go as a person and athlete and what is really important to me. I love cycling and my passion for this beautiful sport is never gone, but I also know what it requires from me and what I need to do to be successful. I believe that everyone has his strengths and weaknesses and that it is an ongoing process to deal with them within a team to be strong and successful. In the last two months I have had the feeling of being exhausted. At this moment, I am not able to train and race at the highest level. For this reason, I have decided to take a break and take time for myself, think about my goals and make a plan for my future.
At this point I´d like to thank the team for the last 1.5 years and their support. Especially I´d like to thank the team staff. From the bottom of my heart I can say that they are the best and hardest working people that I´ve ever seen. I´m sorry that I couldn´t fuel your passion with more wins and results. I´d like to thank the sponsors and partners as well that keep believing in the team with their support and knowledge.
I´ve taken this decision based on my experience that changes lead you to new paths and opportunities. Despite all the insecurities I´ve got confidence that I ultimately will find new chances and challenges. From now on I will put my happiness and joy above everything and seek ways to find this also in my future. I´m very excited about what is going to come. I would like to ride and race again in the future and I have to work out a plan to be able to reach this goal.
This is the biggest challenge of my career and I´m accepting it.”
José Azevedo, General Manager TKA: “It is with sadness that we have agreed with Marcel’s request to step away from the team and from racing. We understand the situation in which Marcel is and we fully support him in this difficult time. All the team members will continue supporting Marcel in the future and we hope that he will soon get back to racing as the champion he is.
On behalf of Team KATUSHA ALPECIN and all its sponsors and partners we wish Marcel all the best for the future.”
KATUSHA MEDIA SERVICE
Schlagwort-Archive: Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin)
Mallorca Challenge 2019 – 4. Etappe Trofeo Palma
Gibt es heute auf der vierten Etappe der Mallorca Challenge einen deutschen Sieg?
Andre Greipel (ArkeaSamsic), John Degenkolb (TREK) und Marcel Kittel (Katusha Alpecin) sind heiße Kandidaten auf einen Sprintsieg an der Playa de Palma.
Allerdings wird die Sache erschwert, da vor der Zielrunde der Col de Sa Creu überwunden werden muß.
Die Etappe über 160km wurde um 10 Uhr vor dem Hotel Occidental Playa de Palma gestartet.
In der neutralen Zone unterhalten sich Andre Greipel und Dege.
Ergebnis:
1 Marcel Kittel (Ger) Katusha-Alpecin 3:45:23
2 Timothy Dupont (Bel) Wanty-Gobert Cycling Team
3 Hugo Hofstetter (Fra) Cofidis Solutions Credits
4 Christophe Noppe (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
5 André Greipel (Ger) Team Arkea-Samsic
6 Rüdiger Selig (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe
7 Maxence Moncassin (Fra) Amore & Vita-Prodir
8 John Degenkolb (Ger) Trek-Segafredo
9 Boris Vallee (Bel) Wanty-Gobert Cycling Team
10 José Rojas (Spa) Movistar Team
11 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) UAE Team Emirates
12 Enrique Sanz Unzue (Spa) Euskadi Basque Country-Murias
13 Thomas Boudat (Fra) Direct Energie
14 Jasper De Buyst (Bel) Lotto Soudal
15 Sasha Weemaes (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
Marcel Kittel Team Katusha-Alpecin gewinnt überlegen die Trofeo Palma im Massensprint.
Es ist der erste Sieg für ihn seit Tirreno-Adriatico im März 2018. Man kann sich vorstellen, wie sehr er sich über diesen Sieg freut. Das so notwendige Selbstbewusstsein ist auf einem guten Weg zu alter Stärke.
Es ist wieder Zeit für das Victory Zeichen bei Marcel Kittel.
Text und Foto Gerhard Plomitzer – www.plomi.smugmug.com
Kittel wins Stage 6 of Tirreno-Adriatico, Kwiatkowski retains the Maglia Azzurra
KITTEL WINS STAGE 6 OF TIRRENO-ADRIATICO
KWIATKOWSKI RETAINS THE MAGLIA AZZURRA
Fano, 12 March 2018 – The German rider Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin) won the fifth stage of the 53rd edition of the Race of the Two Seas, 153km from Numana to Fano. Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) retains the Maglia Azzurra of General Classification leader.
STAGE RESULT
1 – Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin) 153km in 3h49’54”, average speed 39.930kph
2 – Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.
3 – Maximiliano Richeze (Quick-Step Floors) s.t.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Michał Kwiatkowski (Team Sky)
2 – Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team) at 3”
3 – Mikel Landa (Movistar Team) at 23”
JERSEYS
Maglia Azzurra (blue), General Classification Leader, sponsored by Gazprom – Michał Kwiatkowski (Team Sky)
Maglia Arancione (orange), Sprinter Classification Leader, sponsored by Sportful – Jacopo Mosca (Wilier Triestina – Selle Italia)
Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains Classification Leader, sponsored by Snello Rovagnati – Nicola Bagioli (Nippo – Vini Fantini – Europa Ovini)
Maglia Bianca (white), Young Rider General Classification Leader, sponsored by FIAT – Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal)
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner, Marcel Kittel, said: “When there was the crash with Fernando Gaviria, I was just on the left side of the Quick-Step riders. Seconds later I heard it was Gaviria. I feel sorry for him, but we remained focused on our goal. It worked well. The boys did a great job. I’m very proud of the team today. There’s nothing to complain about. We controlled the race. I’m very happy to win for the team. We always said that we’d decide after Tirreno-Adriatico if I’d go to Milan-Sanremo but things are now looking good after two stage wins.”
The Maglia Azzurra, Michał Kwiatkowski, said: “I didn’t want to lose Tirreno-Adriatico by a few seconds without trying to get the time bonus in the intermediate sprint. I didn’t make it but, at the end of the day, we have to be very happy with the stage today and keep focus on tomorrow’s time trial for a perfect end.”
Press conference interviews and further details to follow.
TOMORROW’S STAGE
Stage 7 – San Benedetto del Tronto (Individual Time Trial) 10.0km
Start: San Benedetto del Tronto, Viale Tamerici
Finish: San Benedetto del Tronto, Viale Buozzi
First Rider Start: 13:00
Last Rider Finish: 16:10 Approx.
Time Keeping Point: km 4.4 – Porto d’Ascoli
Race Headquarter: Hotel Calabresi, Rotonda Giorgini, San Benedetto del Tronto
ROUTE
Individual time trial of 10,050m, on a route that mainly follows the final circuit of the conclusive stages of the late 90s and recent 2000s, and has been the same since 2015. The start ramp is located in Viale Tamerici (south wharf). From here, riders proceed towards Porto d’Ascoli along the sea. From Piazza Salvo d’Acquisto (intermediate time recording – km 4.4), the route runs a further 750m before heading back towards San Benedetto del Tronto, where the race ends on the traditional home stretch in Viale Buozzi. The last 2.5km are almost on straight ground.
Final kilometres
The last 3km run along wide and mainly straight roads. The route runs along the seafront (upward lane) towards the finish line. 2.5km before the finish, a double bend leads to the straight home stretch (2,500m) on 8m wide tarmac road.
DOWNLOAD
Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2018 Roadbook
Tirreno-Adriatico NamedSport 2018 Maps
#TirrenoAdriatico
PHOTO CREDIT: LaPresse – Ferrari / Spada
Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
Marcel Kittel wins Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico, Patrick Bevin is the new leader of the GC
MARCEL KITTEL WINS STAGE 2 OF TIRRENO-ADRIATICO
PATRICK BEVIN IS THE NEW LEADER OF THE GC
Follonica, 8 March 2018 – The German rider Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin) won the second stage of the 53rd edition of the Race of the Two Seas, 172km from Camaiore to Follonica. Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing Team) is the new Maglia Azzurra of General Classification leader.
STAGE RESULT
1 – Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin) 172km in 4h12’24”, average speed 40.887kph
2 – Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) s.t.
3 – Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing Team)
2 – Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
3 – Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team) s.t.
JERSEYS
Maglia Azzurra (blue), general classification leader, sponsored by Gazprom – Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing Team)
Maglia Bianca (white), young rider general classification leader, sponsored by FIAT – Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors)
Maglia Arancione (orange), sprinter classification leader, sponsored by Sportful – Marcel Kittel (Team Katusha Alpecin)
Maglia Verde (green), King of the Mountains classification leader, sponsored by Snello Rovagnati – Nicola Bagioli (Nippo – Vini Fantini – Europa Ovini)
Speaking seconds after the stage finish, the stage winner, Marcel Kittel, said: “I’ve been waiting such a long time for this victory! Since the beginning of the season, not everything was working good but we worked hard with the team and it finally pays off today. I have to thank everyone for the good job. This is a big boost for the whole group. I’m also very happy because this is my first professional victory in Italy. At the Giro, I won stages in other countries.”