In the space of 12 months, Marcel Kittel (Skil-Shimano & Germany) has gone from being an U23 time trial specialist to one of the sprinter’s Oscar Freire cites as a danger man in this year’s Vuelta.
The big German has had a dozen wins this season and with his current form it will be no surprise if he adds to that tally. The latest successes came in the Tour of Poland, where he was by far the most dominant sprinter and clocked up four wins.
Kittel has made rapid progress since taking up the sport. German novice road champion in 2004, he was junior time trial champion of the world the following season and repeated the feat in 2006. However he was more than just a time trialist, and won a string of top junior races all over Europe.
Kittel’s first professional contract for German Continental team, Thuringer Energie followed in 2007 with the German U23 TT title falling to him that same year. He stayed with Thuringer for four seasons, winning stages in races across Europe – Festningsrittet (Norway), Brandenburg Rundfahrt (Germany), Fleche du Sud (Luxembourg) and the Tours du Haut Anjou and Moselle in France.
The European U23 TT title and World U23 TT bronze came his way in 2009 and 2010 respectively, and these led to him stepping up a level this season when he signed on the dotted line with Holland’s Skil-Shimano. Those who had expected him to join the Tony Martins and Patrick Gretschs of this world were surprised when the sprint wins began to come his way.
The first one came early, at the Tour de Langkawi, but heads really turned when he took a startling four stages in the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque.
Then came the Pro Race Berlin plus a stage and the GC in the Zeeland Tour – with another ‘four card trick’ in the Tour of Poland, cementing his arrival as a sprint ‘head.’
VeloNation spoke to the 23 year-old from Arnstadt as he put the final touches to his preparation for his first Grand Tour: the Vuelta a España, which he will start in two days’ time.
VeloNation: Congratulations on a great season, Marcel – who were your role models as a young rider?
Marcel Kittel: That’s a difficult question, I never really had an idol; many young German cyclists were motivated by Jan Ulrich or Erik Zabel but for me my father was the most important person.
I learned a lot from him and if you were having one of those hard times on the bike which everyone has, it’s good to have your father close by.
VN: Time trial specialist to sprinter…that’s quite a jump.
MK: It’s not that strange, I always knew I could sprint but I always had bigger results in the time trials.
When I came to Skil, they said that with my build I could be a top sprinter; we changed my training, agreed goals, and the team had faith in me.
VN: You took the U23 TT bronze in 2010…weren’t you motivated to go higher up the podium this year?
MK: Last year was my final one as an Espoir, so it wasn’t possible to ride again…beside, I was happy with that bronze.
I had an injury in the spring of last year and never really got in to good shape until the end of the season – so it was good to finish with a Worlds medal.
VN: You mentioned changes to your training?
MK: At Skil-Shimano my training is very different, I work with the team’s trainer and the rides are more intensive, faster than I was used to in Germany.
I do more sprint work and spend less time on the time trial bike to focus on sprinting.
VN: You’ve had 12 wins in 2011…which one gave you most satisfaction?
MK: It’s difficult to say, but to win in the Tour of Poland was amazing; that’s a World Tour race and there were so many spectators beside the road – it was a very special week for the team.
VN: What are your expectations for the Vuelta?
MK: It’s my first Grand Tour so it’s mostly about gaining experience in a big stage race. The first week isn’t too hilly and we want to make the most of that – we want to take a stage win.
VN: Going from Langkawi to the Vuelta…it’s been a long season for you.
MK: It is long but the riders who started in Australia or Qatar don’t start that much later; the team are conscious that I’m young and want me to continue to improve over the next few years, not burn out.
After the Vuelta we’ll look at my programme.
VN: You were training at l’Alpe d’Huez when the Tour was there…that was tough work...
MK: And I did two weeks with a couple of my team mates at Livigno before the week at l’Alpe d’Huez; that ‘s the problem with altitude training – you always have to go up big hills!
But that’s part of being a pro cyclist – you have to climb hills.
VN: Your DS, Rudi Kemna was a good sprinter during his pro career…does he mentor you?
MK: Of course, Langkawi was very important to us. We were able to discuss tactics and practice lead outs, and get to know each other. And advice from an experienced DS like Rudi is very important.
VN: You’ve extended another two years with Skil…weren’t you tempted by the World Tour?
MK: My contract is until 2013 – I’m very satisfied with the team, comfortable here with my team mates and the staff. The team has big plans and I hope to help realise them.
We hope that our programme will include a few more bigger races for 2012, but when you have young riders on the squad it’s important to ride big World Tour races, for sure. But not all the time, it’s good to have a mix of races at the different levels. That mix of races is part of the team philosophy.
VN: Do you like to go for the line off a train or exploit the other teams?
MK: I have Tom Veelers as my final lead out man and I have 100% confidence that he’ll position me correctly. We’re taking a strong team to the Vuelta and won’t be afraid to show ourselves and do the work.
It’s better for me to come off my team than it is to jump from wheel to wheel, although I can do that if I have to.
VN: Do you study videos of Cavendish in action?
MK: It’s OK watching videos but you have to find out on the road how he sprints! He’ll be at the Vuelta and it’ll be a big challenge to ride against him . Whilst I won’t be putting myself under pressure it will be good to sprint against the best guys.
VN: It’s been said that if you continue to improve you may entice German sponsors back in to the sport…
MK: I don’t know about that but I hope the German sponsors come back; we have strong riders but no German World Tour team – that’s a sad situation.
I hope that the companies with the money find their way back in to cycling.
VN: What about the Worlds?
MK: Of course I would like to ride; it’s always nice to start in your country’s national jersey.
I’ve just heard that I am pre-selected but I’ll have to wait for the final selection.
VN: What’s it like to be a German on a Dutch team?
MK: There’s not so much difference in the mentality of the two nations; I have a good way with the riders and staff – I’m happy.
VN: And if you could win just one more race?
MK: I have two dreams – to win on the Champs Elysees and to wear the world champion’s rainbow jersey.