Which Etixx-QuickStep riders are going to lead Marcel Kittel out in 2016? "Boonen will have no problem if he has to do the lead-out for Kittel occasionally," says Tom Steels, sports director at Etixx-QuickStep.

With the departure of Mark Cavendish, Etixx-QuickStep will lose their sprint star and his lead-out man Mark Renshaw. That weakens the lead-out train significantly as they try to build a new team around Marcel Kittel.

"With Kittel course we have found a rider who should be able to fill the gap left by Cavendish should be able to fill," sports director Tom Steels told Sporza.

"They are two completely different types. Kittel is more of a pure power sprinter while Cavendish sprints more on instinct and can take advantage of his aerodynamic sprint."

Will Kittel be able to win again after a sluggish season? 

"It will be a challenge to fit him into our team. It is a question of making the right train. But we have enough experience in sprints. I don't think we are inferior to any other train."

Steels talked about the riders that could potentially play a role in the train:

Matteo Trentin: "He is basically the perfect lead-out man, the last man for Kittel. Trentin has the composure and courage to take on that task. At the end of the season, he also sprinted to some victories himself."

Fabio Sabatini: "He knows what to do to bring a sprinter into a winning position."
Julien Vermote: "He has evolved in recent years from fourth rider in the train to the man who can now launch a sprint."
Tony Martin: "He is also part of the train, he will look forward to do his bit for his friend Kittel."
Fernando Gaviria: "He has the quality to win many races, it would not be bad to let him be part of of the train sometimes so he knows what to do and not to do in a sprint train."
Tom Boonen: "He will have no problem with doing the lead-out for Kittel. in the first half of the season, Boonen will also do the sprints that he can win himself."