Cycling: Marcel Kittel announced today that he has terminated his contract with the Katusha – Alpecin team with immediate effect. Both parties have agreed on this. However, the day after tomorrow, the 31-year-old is not thinking of ending his career.
Kittel simply no longer finds its old form
Marcel Kittel and Katusha – Alpecin: A chapter that was never positive has finally come to an end. As was officially announced today, Thursday, both parties have agreed to an early termination of the contract. The media had previously reported that Kittel had canceled the Tour of California after not starting the Tour de Yorkshire. Now his fans are certain: they will never see Marcel Kittel in the Katusha – Alpecin jersey again. The end doesn't come as a surprise. Since the Tour de France last year, there has been speculation that the marriage of convenience could come to an early end. No wonder, because Marcel Kittel was signed after his impressive season in 2017 - as supposedly the fastest sprinter in the world and as the idol of a new cycling youth in Germany.
His successful career should not end there
Despite all the criticism of Marcel Kittel, it should also be mentioned that the 30-year-old has achieved impressive things in his career. In total, he can look back on 2008 successes since the start of his professional career in 99. With 14 stage wins in the Tour de France, he succeeded. To overtake Erik Zabel and become the new German record holder. He also won stages at the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana. He won the Scheldeprijs, often referred to as the “World Sprinter Championships”, five times. Despite the sudden end, Marcel Kittel does not want to end his career at the age of 31. We think: right! And we hope to make a comeback as soon as he feels able to do so again.
Kittel: “I love cycling”
In a written statement, Marcel Kittel addressed his fans, sponsors and his now former team in detail. He announced that he did not want to end his career and was working on his comeback.
Marcel Kittel:
“It was a long decision-making process for me in which I asked myself 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 hasn't disappeared, but I also know what it takes from me and what I need to be successful. I believe that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and that dealing with them in a team is an ongoing process in order to be strong and successful.”
On my request Team Katusha-Alpecin and I mutually decided to an early termination of my current contract. Read more here: https://t.co/VPjcMY4aImhttps://t.co/OucHtZYPPV
Photo: Stefan Rachow pic.twitter.com/fVWrB9HVdU
— Marcel Kittel (@marcelkittel) 9 May 2019