Marcel Kittel casts doubts over Tour de France participation

After an illness that has kept him out for large parts of the early season, Marcel Kittel admits he may decide not to ride the Tour de France

Photo : Yuzuru Sunada

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

Marcel Kittel admits he's not guaranteed to start the Tour de France on July 4 as his early season illness has taken its toll on his racing fitness.

Speaking to reporters at a Giant-Alpecin altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada the German, who won four stages of the Tour last year, says he will race the Ster ZLM Toer in the Netherlands before the decision of his Tour participation is made.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.