Over the course of this Giro d'Italia, which is only three stages old, Marcel Kittel has repeatedly made the effort to point out that his leadout team here is 'inexperienced'. Not that it has shown; Etixx-QuickStep have clearly been the most prominent force on the two flat opening road stages, and have delivered the German to a pair of resounding victories.
Kittel's travails of 2015 are well-documented but, after buying his way out of his Giant-Alpecin contract to force a move to QuickStep, there is little doubt remaining that the 27-year-old has returned to his 2014 status as the strongest sprinter in the world. His win tally this term, which now stands at ten and includes four WorldTour wins, puts him streets ahead of any other sprinter in the peloton.
With so much success so soon after the change of scene, Cyclingnews spoke to the riders and staff involved to see where it has all gone so right.
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Kittel's leadership qualities
"He breeds confidence." (Tom Steels)
"I must say it has a lot to do with Marcel," says directeur sportif Tom Steels of the team's success.
"He's always calm – it's one of his big qualities. He will never yell in the radio; he breeds confidence. That way we can really build a group around him. All the good leaders we have, they are usually calm. For the team, it's priceless.”
- Giro d'Italia stage 3 highlights - Video
- Giro d'Italia stage 2 highlights - Video
- Kittel and Giant-Alpecin part ways
Laying the foundations
Sabatini as last man
Fresh blood
Chemistry
The leadout before the leadout
The delivery
Finishing it off
Making it possible in the first place
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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