Marcel Kittel has had a quick rise to the top of the cycling world, DNFing the 2012 Tour de France to taking four stage wins in the following two editions, also adding stages in the Giro and Vuelta for good measure.

“The last four years as a professional they passed by super fast,” the Giant-Alpecin leader said in an interview with SBS Cycling Central. “So many things happened during that time it’s sometimes, really, I have the feeling that my time passes by quicker than from my friends at home.” 

Kittel’s style of sprinting isn’t a big acceleration or double kick like Mark Cavendish, he just winds up the gear and keeps it going all the way to the line, often starting from the front and no one is able to pass him.

“He reminds me of Cippolini - just big and powerful and then winds into his sprint, doesn’t get a big jump,” Australian sprint legend Robbie McEwen observed of the 6ft 2in German.
 

“There’s really no surprises with Kittel. The team takes him to the front, he starts his sprint from pretty far out and just rides everyone out of the wheel. I’m kind of glad I don’t have to ride against him!” 

Kittel, along with three of his compatriots, John Degenkolb, Tony Martin and Andre Greipel have all reached the very top of the cycling world in recent seasons, and this has led to the return of the Tour de France to German broadcasters, with ARD showing the race in 2015. But Kittel acknowledges that this is only the start, he and his fellow Germand must keep working hard to succeed.

“With the wins that the German riders and me had in the last years it’s inevitable it became more likely,” Kittel said. “It’s very cool to be a part of that process.” 

“From now the real work starts because of course we still have to continue to be successful,” Kittel said. “The pressure with all the media attention that we get at home now will also be higher.”

“Everyone expects a win from you so I would say it’s more challenging but it’s also nothing which is completely different to what you normally do,” he said in reference to his increasing progression and consequent perceived pressure.