Cycling: Still meeting Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step Floors) and Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) not on each other. In general, the two have never raced against each other in their careers. No wonder, because they were still teammates until a few weeks ago. As of 2018, however, they will be fighting for the title "best sprinter in the world" have to fight - it will be a hard fight to the finish line. It might even be decided in the photo finish.
Kittel vs Gaviria 0-0
It's almost unbelievable that Fernando Gaviria and Marcel Kittel have never met before. The Colombian has been an amateur since 2013 and a professional since 2015. The German has been doing his rounds since 2007. So far, however, they have - in the truest sense of the word - passed each other. In 2016 and 2017 both were under contract with the Belgian team Quick-Step Floors. The team management saw no reason to let both top sprinters take part in the same race. This is how Gaviria and Kittel have been able to claim their victories in recent years without ever really having to compete with each other. Gaviria has had 2015 wins since 28, Kittel has 29. With Kittel's move from Quick-Step Floors to Katusha-Alpecin, cycling fans will be able to see a superlative duel in the future.
Did Kittel escape from Gaviria?
Since Kittel's move from Quick-Step Floors to Katusha-Alpecin became known, rumors have been circulating that Kittel wanted to avoid a dispute with Gaviria. Brian Holm, the sports director of Team Quick-Step Floors, started this assumption.
Brian Holm:
"I think it's a great pity that Marcel is leaving, but I understand him. He wanted to avoid a small war with Fernando Gaviria. He's young and had already claimed a tour start this year."
Understandable, after all, Gaviria already dominated the sprint at the Giro d'Italia and now wants to clear the Tour de France as well. The fact that Kittel then changes teams after the end of the contract is absolutely not reprehensible and has nothing to do with the fact that he avoids the competition. On the contrary: The change made Gaviria a real competitor. Furthermore, in an interview with Eurosport, Kittel admitted that Gaviria even played a role in the decision.
Marcel Kittel:
“The main reason for me was that I wanted to keep my chances as a sprinter. At Quick-Step Floors, Gaviria is a strong young man who is also looking for his chances on the tour. That would inevitably have led to a conflict of interest.”
When is the first showdown?
It is not yet clear when Kittel and Gaviria will meet for the first time. The racing calendar does not provide for a planned fight in the next few months. Marcel Kittel will start the season with the Dubai Tour, the Abu Dhabi Tour and Paris-Nice. Fernando Gaviria is currently active at the Vuelta a San Juan and has already there won his first race. Then he prepares for the classics – and for the Tour de France. There at the latest it comes to the Battle of the Sprintstars.
Marcel Kittel:
“I feel very good, had a good start and get on really well with all the drivers. It's a casual and cool vibe. 2017 was a terrific year for me. The five victories on the Tour will be difficult to top. I'm not going to let it fool me and I'm going into the new season with a lot of confidence with Tony Martin at my side."
Fernando Gaviria:
“It's a new year and I want to confirm my results and build on them. I'm hoping for a smooth start to the new season so I can be in the best possible shape for the classics. I'm curious what it's like to drive on cobblestones. These are races I have deep love for. After that I want to be 100 percent fit for the Tour de France. There is the highest level. It's a dream come true. It won't be easy, but I hope I can win a stage."
Source of Gaviria & Kittel covers: Getty Images
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