After a season of physical strains Marcel Kittel had another backlog last weekend by having to miss the Belgian one-day races Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and Primus Classic Impanis – van Petegem, being not fit enough to race. The Giant-Alpecin team website talked to Kittel, who now looks ahead aiming for a good season finisher.

“Following a long absence where I missed a lot of training and races, I returned at the Tour of Poland, which was a shock for my body in both a good and a bad sense,” said Kittel.

“After finishing the race I had another setback, which meant that I could not build on a stable form for the last part of the season. As a consequence I struggle to have the fitness and power necessary to race in a good way.

“For me it is important to finish the season with a good level, leaving this season behind me and looking ahead for the 2016 season.”