They have so many that Giant-Shimano will soon say goodbye to one or several sprinters. The Dutch team has five men in the team with a good sprint in the legs and that is too many according to general manager Iwan Spekenbrink. His team has a luxury problem, he tells NUsport.nl.
"We're going to lose some because we will soon have five sprinters at a high level which is a luxury problem," says Spekenbrink. In addition to world class riders Marcel Kittel and John Degenkolb, Giant-Shimano has fast men and Nikias Arndt, Luka Mezgec and Ramon Sinkeldam under contract. "There are choices to be made. We can not have five Kittels in the squad," says the manager.
"Rationally we have to go through selection. A perfect team balance has to be good, where there are different types of riders in the team. Of course we will do everything to maintain the best riders, but it may that all of the sprinters cant be team leaders," said Spekenbrink.
So far, Giant-Shimano has always managed to keep their best riders on board "It's a good sign that everyone stays, but our philosophy is that we are still building talent from below. It is logical that at one time people leave and we integrate new people. Of course we would rather keep everyone here, but we are proud if someone does not stay, and leaves for a good team. "
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