Marcel Kittel abandons Tour de Yorkshire on stage one
German sprinter pulls out of race with illness mid-way through stage one
Marcel Kittel (Giant-Alpecin) has abandoned the Tour de Yorkshire during stage one of the three day race. The German sprinter reportedly stepped of the bike after feeling ill and unable to continue on the bike.
The Tour de Yorkshire was Kittel's first race back since taking time off due to a virus, which he began to suffer from shortly after the end of the Tour of Qatar in February.
Having won the first stage into Harrogate and taking the yellow jersey during last year's Tour de France, Kittel was a headline name for the inaugural edition of the race, but clearly felt far from race fit after such a long lay-off.
The 26-year-old is set to appear at the Tour of California next, which starts on May 10 in Sacramento, as he tries to find "race rythm" ahead of the Tour de France in July.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2pTM81DPCE
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Bike insurance might not cover your theft: How to avoid the common mistakes that can invalidate your policy
Having your bike stolen is bad enough, don't let a failed insurance claim make it worse
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Stock but not standard: Argonaut Cycles upgrades its stock offering to flagship status; launches carbon gravel wheels
With 13 frame geometries, Argonaut’s high-end stock program aims to streamline the buying process of its handmade bikes
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Leo Hayter leaves DSM Development Team early to join Hagens Berman Axeon
British U23 time trial champion moves to American development squad after split opinion over future
By Adam Becket Published
-
Cees Bol: Negative comments from unamed DSM riders 'difficult to read'
Dutch sprinter says that it is difficult to read criticisms of the team
By Adam Becket Published
-
Romain Bardet says leaving DSM riders' comments 'not easy to understand' after 'Soviet regime' remarks
Multiple riders have broken their contracts over the years with an unnamed rider calling it a "Soviet regime"
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
'The hardest and easiest decision I've had to make': Nicholas Roche retires after 17 years
The Irishman has raced for some of the biggest names in cycling throughout his career
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Team DSM rider files police complaint after being throttled by angry motorist
The driver is said to have objected to the cyclist riding side-by-side with another rider
By Jonny Long Published
-
‘You can see the power you need to survive the Tour de France’ - Marcel Kittel reflects on his most successful years
Marcel Kittel retired from professional cycling as not only one of the best sprinters of his generation, but one of the most successful in the history of the Tour de France.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Marcel Kittel talks us through his best year
Marcel Kittel has been pondering the question for a week. “How do you define your best year? Do you take victories as the most important factor?” It was what Chris Marshall Bell assumed when he first made contact for this interview
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Sunweb’s Edo Maas shares video of himself walking with help of bionic legs
Sunweb’s Edo Maas has shared a video of himself taking his first steps since suffering an awful crash, assisted by a set of bionic legs.
By Alex Ballinger Published