Just 11 days before the start of the Tour de France, Marcel Kittel is still searching for a win in Europe. Even if he is not in his best shape, the Giant-Alpecin rider is staying satisfied with his current level of condition. Last week, he raced the Ster ZLM Toer and his best result was 13th in the prologue.

"In light of all the problems in the first half of the season, I am almost a little proud of the way I finished the ZLM Tour. Unfortunately I didn't get an top results. But the goal was mainly to put as much stress on myself as I could. And I achieved that", Kittel wrote on his personal website.

His only win this season was during the People’s Choice Classic, a criterium. "It is normal that the form fluctuates from day to day after an altitude training camp. I know that from past years. But overall I think that this race has helped me."

The German rider won four stages in two edition of the Tour de France and he hopes to be competitive. "My body is again in the race rhythm and I am motivated and in good spirits as I look to the Tour de France."