Team Giant-Alpecin announces that it will rescind the contract with Marcel Kittel at the end of this season. He had one year remaining on his contract. The German sprinter recently indicated to the team’s management that he wished to make a fresh start. Kittel wishes to get the difficult 2015 season behind him and achieve new goals in new surroundings, rather then doing so in the improvement-driven elite sports environment of Team Giant-Alpecin.
 
Kittel experienced a disappointing season. A series of minor injuries and setbacks prevented him from living up to expectations, and having to start all over again in building up his form several times during the season, as well as the unsatisfying performances according to his standards, made it a hard year for Kittel.
 
The team’s CEO, Iwan Spekenbrink commented: “Marcel has meant a lot to the team and has been a great ambassador for us. Therefore, we immediately decided to respond positively to his request and release him from his contract. His request came very late in the season, but nevertheless he looks able to find and join a suitable team, which makes it realistic to actually release him. Marcel is a great athlete and it will be good for the sport of cycling, for the fans and, most importantly, for Marcel himself if he can produce great sprints again next season, which was an additional argument to respond favorably to his request.”
 
Kittel said: “After my last setback, where I had to skip still more races, it became clear to me that I want to make a fresh start after a physically and mentally difficult year. When I shared this wish with the team, I was aware that it’s uncommon to release a rider from his contract before the end of the term. Therefore, I very much appreciate that Team Giant-Alpecin placed my personal wishes above the concern of losing a rider so late in the season and that it was receptive to my request to try and find a new team, which is something quite rare in the hard world of elite sports. I knew it would not be easy to make it happen this late in the season, but fortunately I expect to be able to find a suitable team, where I will race for the next few seasons. I am looking forward to it.”
 
In a way, the release of the powerful sprinter also symbolizes the team’s commitment to its elite sports DNA, the “Keep Challenging” approach – which is very demanding for the athletes and the organization in its focus on continuous improvement of both the athletes and the innovative supporting environment.
 

Marcel Kittel experienced beautiful highlights in his career thanks to this approach, his teammates and, of course, his great talent. The Keep Challenging approach enabled the team to identify Kittel’s sprinting potential and help him transform from a time trial rider into one of the most successful sprinters of recent years, with many wins, including multiple Grand Tour victories, which excited fans all over the world.”
 
The team’s decision to grant Kittel’s wish to be released and to remain close to its DNA is a choice for the long term and reflects Team Giant-Alpecin’s commitment to ensuring the continuous development of the athletes and the team, as well as the breakthrough of new cycling stars.
 
Spekenbrink concluded: “We want to thank Marcel for the great contribution he has made to the team since 2011. We really enjoyed his sprinting talent and the unforgettable moments we shared together, and we will continue to be proud of the sprints he will deliver in the future, as he will always be a ‘product of our school.’ We wish Marcel all the best in his future career.”

Kittel's new team is unknown. Het Nieuwsblad reported during the week that the eight-time Tour stage winner would go to Etixx-Quick-Step, where he would replace Mark Cavendish. An official confirmation of this has not been made but the Belgian team announced a new major sponsor in Lidl which could help cover the costs of contract with Kittel.