Tony Martin (Etixx-Quickstep) can't understand that Giant-Alpecin hasn't selected its top sprinter Marcel Kittel for the Tour de France. 

"I am shocked that his team has made this decision which has been looming for a long time. I don't think Marcel deserves it," he told Rad-sport news one day before the German TT championships in Einhausen.

Martin explained: "Marcel has recently done so much for German cycling. He is one of the reasons that the media interest in the Tour has increased again and that ARD will broadcast the race again. I find it a pity that he won't be at the Tour to reap the benefits of this."

Although Kittel is not yet back in top form after a protracted viral illness, Martin has expected top results from the sprinter. 

"Marcel is a rider that you always have to take into account. Even if he is not currently one hundred percent in form, he would have been one of the top favourites on the Champs-Elysées again."

Without Kittel, Martin expects fewer victories than in 2014 when the German trio of Kitel (4 wins), Greipel (1) and himself (2) took a total of seven wins.

"Once again we had the opportunity to do a good Tour with all the German riders. The fact that Marcel is not present means that it will be more difficult."