After deciding not to ride Milan-San Remo, Marcel Kittel’s DS at Etixx-QuickStep Brian Holm says that in order to be considered great, the German must win a Monument: “As a big champion, I think you have to win a Monument,” Holm told SBS Cycling Central.

Holm, who was with Kittel as he took two stages and the GC in Dubai Tour, says the German has the capabilities to win Milan-San Remo.

“I’ve only done the Dubai Tour with him and he was pretty good on Hatta Dam. Of course, the Cipressa and Poggio are something else,” Holm said. “He plans with his trainer but if I could push him in some direction for sure [I would say] he should prepare himself.”

Holm said the 27 year old has fit really well into his new team after leaving Giant-Alpecin and that he is really professional.

“Kittel, he is pretty much like Greipel and Tony Martin. He has that German mentality, the high discipline, not too noisy and he is really professional,” Holm said. “He’s coming from a Dutch team [and] if you fit in a Dutch team you’re going to fit into a Belgium team too so that’s fine.”

Kittel has won stages in all three Grand Tours and spent two days in the Yellow Jersey of the Tour de France.