WTF Happened To Marcel Kittel? Germany's Superstar Sprinter

[@holgeronmalta1863]

I saw him on a Dutch TV show during the TdF, and he seemed like a man completely happy with his life choices. Maybe nothing bad happened to him, he just couldn't bring it up to be a pro anymore and retired at the right time.

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

Sick and tired of doping and cheating and all the bullshit maybe?

[@lljc9170]

@@JohnDough-yr2zt

[@mattv1344]

@@JohnDough-yr2zt being a pro cyclist is mentally painful for more reasons than the difficult decisions regarding doping

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

@@mattv1344 yes work is a bitch, isn’t it?

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

@@JohnDough-yr2zt what they do (PEDs or NO PEDs), is a bit more than merely "work". 😉

[@MVProfits]

The Kittel-Greipel-Cavendish sprint battles with the occasional wild Sagan seasoning was soooo entertaining. I too wondered how did he fall off so fast! And it was fun to see the two "huge" Germans compared to all the bony riders. Greipel was a very decent climber for his size and compared to other sprinters. Kittel was an awesome sprinter but he sure struggled with mountains, even compared to the other sprinters.

[@BobbyDick22785]

Well in 2017 his fall did him dirty. I think on the flatter stages he would have grabbed back the jersey from Michael Matthews or never even would have lost it.

[@speedsociety9177]

It seems Kittel had to maintain a huge stature to provide that sprinting power. He said himself that ad 1,88m height and close to 90kg race weight he was one of the heaviest guys out there and he had to train like crazy to get his w/kg to a level comparable with the bony riders and of course struggled to stay within the timecap on mountain stages. I guess in the end it just became too much for him to maintain that level for another couple of years.

[@evobirkz8]

I agree, sprinting was so much better those days! Also Kristoff was up there!

[@speedsociety9177]

the german GCN has a good interview with him, he seems to be happy nowadays. For a guy close to 90kg it was probably insanely hard to compete with guys over 20kg lighter than him in terms of w/kg but he needed that stature to perform the way he did. He had some amazing seasons and moved on when it got too much for him, don't see anything wrong with that tbh.

[@Wikato]

What you write about GCN is exactly right. There is also something on the German Wiki page. In sum, he has chosen family life and now lives in Holland with his beautiful wife and children.

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

He looked more like a track MATCH Sprinter than a road sprinter (let alone a TT specialist, I had NO CLUE he EVER even considered being that!). It is amazing that he ever got over those HC climbs AT ALL, let alone within the time limits!! MUCH kudos to him for that, considering his (muscle) mass, and majority fast twitch muscle cell composition. 👍👍

[@pauljakeman]

He was an awesome rider and sprinter and I’m glad we got to see him. I’m pleased for him that he’s found something else to do and I bet he’s happy that he changed over, all the luck to him!

[@timothymburton]

When you look at time spent over functional threshold power throughout the year or a grand tour - the biggest guys spend significantly more time suffering than the rest. It adds up and ends up being both mentally and physically exhausting. The fact that a 194 lb (88kg) dude could even finish the Tour let alone win in Paris is incredible.

[@tonycrabtree3416]

Throw in his height that when riding a size 58 he would still get wind in the face in the sprint train. I think his DS mentioned something like he was putting out close to 2,000 watts to Cav’s 1,400 in finales. I could be wrong on the numbers, but it was a drastic difference.

[@speedsociety9177]

exactly, he had to have a crazy FTP to be able to compete with guys 20kg lighter than him, he was one of the heaviest guys in the peloton but probably needed that weight to perform the way he did in the sprints.

[@timothymburton]

@@speedsociety9177 I read somewhere it was like 438W or something stupid like that.

[@tonycrabtree3416]

@@speedsociety9177 and then EVERYONE gets a draft from him conserving some matches.

[@stroso83]

Being 194lbs myself, I know the pain. Putting out some good watts (mortal watts that is) only to be passed by just about everyone going uphill. 😏

[@gregreitan3634]

He proved himself a winner and decided to move along with life outside of pro cycling. More power to him. Pro cycling isn't everything in life. My hat goes off to him and his family.

[@kevidetuodzuvichu2517]

Whether comment or not always leaves a like.😍 Love your updates.

[@thecyclingdane]

You're the best!

[@stephan19912710]

I'm new to the channel, but did I just hear you say "streets ahead" (around 4:28)? Pierce is so proud :"D

[@58bobby]

I totally did LOL. Obviously a Community fan.

[@brkaz5864]

Absolutely loved watching Marcel Kittel ride. He was a beast in the sprints. Don't blame him in the least for retiring when he did. The Grand Tours are ridiculous in terms of length, demanding routes. Road furniture is some countries is outlandish and increasing lack of control over spectators is a real danger. Sometimes route organizers are idiots. UCI is a big problem in terms of their lack of anything that would offer protection or assistance to the cyclists. Only thing UCI cares about is $$$$. I wish Marcel the best in whatever he chooses to do.

[@miguelpereira9859]

Absolute unit of a sprinter, I'll never forget how he won a stage by just 6mm that was incredible and hilarious

[@zedgee4514]

nothing went wrong for this great champion there is an end for everything and this was his, a great career.👍

[@lterra72]

Made it look easy at one point. I was noticing a young Sagan nipping at his heals a lot too!

[@dhldt1021]

I'm sure he's enjoying life now after racing. He was a monster at sprinting though, could really turn up the power in a second or two

[@heinzbecker9056]

With his sunnyboy charme, his look and physique he was/could have been tne next Cipollini. But as a german I didnt really know that he already retired, only wondered why I didnt hear his name anymore.

[@endaohalloran6649]

I don't know if this completely factual so I could be wrong but from memory, Kittel was the only sprinter I've ever seen come around Cavendish when Cav was dropped off first wheel with under 200 to go

[@william6171]

A great man on the bike, an even greater one away from the bike.

[@majedhrh7320]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.

[@peggyfoster1495]

I really miss his hair at TDF

[@thecyclingdane]

So do Alpecin hahah

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

@@thecyclingdane He was their BEST advert ever! 🤣😉👍

[@markhines]

Another very well done video.

[@thecyclingdane]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anndaly9381]

Looked forward to this one, top class.

[@thecyclingdane]

Hope you enjoyed it! :P

[@anndaly9381]

@@thecyclingdane Liked it a lot, wondered why no mention of Kittel getting delayed at customs at the english channel in the tour the france cos of his special hair product. 😮that was a thing for a while rem?

[@avbvb2681]

WHAT? Why do you say: "what went wrong"? Why does something have te been gone wrong when a sportsman has good personal reasons to stop?????

[@eternalshyne6210]

Click bait 🤑

[@worldvaleur]

Really great video! I enjoyed it a lot.

[@photonfantastic]

Marcel Kittel was a generational talent. A legend of the sport.

[@veronicasiegfried2712]

He was one of my favorites ❤️

[@ralphiewiggum]

Ditto 😉

[@danielmacdonald721]

I’m gonna say it. When this guy was in his prime there was no doubt he was the fastest sprinter in the world, he absolutely dominated cav when he came onto the scene. An absolute powerhouse

[@Vezzo55]

He was a great sprinter ......BUT .....He is a very smart man to hang up the wheels & go back to school and seek a viable career because after 30 years old your days as a sprinter are numbered

[@michaelstratton5223]

Luis Leon Sanchez is well over 30 and still a world class sprinter.

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

@@michaelstratton5223 There are definitely exceptions, but generally, Vezzo55 is correct.

[@BuffaloC305]

Congrats to Marcel for doing what he wants.

[@ChristopherLee-o5b]

I'm an American cycling fan and was sad to see him retire

[@BioStuff415]

the demands of pro cycling are like no other career. It requires a certain defect in the psyche. He became sane and moved on.

[@michaelstratton5223]

This is the best comment I've seen in a while. I remember a profound comment James Hunt's character made in the movie Rush; "Don't go to men who are willing to kill themselves driving in circles looking for normality", and I think UCI cyclists hold a similar motto, except spinning their feet in circles instead.

[@bg147]

I always thought if I were a sports star, I would come in like a tornado, and suddenly leave the stage at the top. The NFL football greats who hang up their cleats at the top of their game always impressed me the most. Fans think it is crazy but they are only focused on football and money. I would much rather reach the top and move on versus lingering and declining. There is a whole lot more to living than cycling or football. Happiness.

[@sergioB360]

He is happy being a dad.

[@kidnamedfinger420]

Miss this guy

[@Freacer1]

I´m not sure if there´s an english version of his biography "Das Gespür für den Augenblick", which was released in fall 2021. If I remember correctly, a lot of problems within the Katusha Alpecin team influenced his decision to quit the sport. He just wasn´t able to get along with some of their staff - some of which had a very "conservative" view on how the team´s cyclists should be trained & treated. Katusha was also a somewhat troubled team at the time in general. They had a bad rep when it came to suspected doping. Kittel was basically bought to win them sprint stages but not given the appropriate support. A result from the difficulties were the few victories he was able to score with the team. He just didnt have the support anymore which he experienced earlier while riding for Skil / Shimano & Quickstep and this ultimately ended his career in a rather harsh way.

[@schuey999]

How many guys can claim they beat Sagan in a sprint at his peak? Kittle was a beast.

[@lukewalker1051]

A lot of people don't know but Marcel's Kittlel's brother was Vanilla Ice.

[@bg147]

He really filled his shorts out well. The guy was a beast with those legs, the power, and good looks. I am sure he got all of the girls.

[@Sills71]

Kittel, like Dumalin, is a victim of the increasing demands teams place on riders. Living under the microscope of directors that obsess over every detail of riders lives can't be any fun.

[@domestique3954]

And haven’t there been rumors about a connection to operation “Aderlass”? They outed some but kept quiet about who the pro rider was at the court. My guess is he didn’t want to be part of the omerta anymore,taking health risks,being “forced” to juice up to stay in contention. He is a smart guy and will always be remembered as an outstanding sprinter and time trial rider. Besides that for me his position on the bike was perfect and throughout his upper body strength his shoulders were firm.

[@phodaOG]

I saw few videos about him "what happened" and like he "failed". This seems just like normal career. Win races, didnt win ALL of races but considerable amount. Slowly over time he just couldn't compete with top tier riders thats it.

[@ianthompson6268]

I enjoyed this vid, but the title leaves a bit to be desired. Man, he was/is great.

[@raymondromero6982]

Kittle was a beast 💪 chingon

[@baseballlover312]

At his peak, I think he was the most powerful sprinter I've ever seen. But your legacy isn't just about peak performance, it's about sustaining it

[@bg147]

If I could be at the top for 5 years, I would be ok with that.

[@spidyspidy1340]

Tom Dumoulin Next since he retired

[@allanvirimai7823]

This guy was good

[@jfloyo11]

Do one on Egan the Forgotten

[@Jan-df7dl]

Had earned enough money and that made it possible to make his decisions. Dont forget that! Why did Merckx back in the day ride so much on road and track? In these days you had to earn most of your money with having results instead of a big contract beforehand.

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

King Eddy most likely made more coin in appearance fees for those 6 Days/crits/etc. (and yes, countless WINS) than he ever got in his contracts. The modern day peloton can thank Greg Lemond for their much better pay (and benefits??) than the pittances they received from their teams before that era.

[@yuriboykkaaa1337]

hero forever

[@skylerschwendeman]

No way this guy said he was "streets ahead".

[@redbol1]

this guy is huge but when he was a guest in a recent gcn video alongside gcn host connor dune he looked small

[@michaelstratton5223]

But in Kittel's defense, Connor is a jolly green giant. I remember the video where Connor rode "El Alto" in a race and he was towering over everybody else in the race.

[@michaelstratton5223]

2:51 Cavendish on the left!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Samuel-bu7xr]

Fun fact: there isn't a rainbow jersey for the team time trial, just a medal 🥇

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

I was confused by that part of the video; I always thought the LAST Worlds Championship TTT (not the 'mixed relay'/whatever stuff they do nowadays) was in 1994, and it was AMATEUR national teams ONLY???

[@thisishere3071]

very cool

[@fookit101]

Peter Sagan called him once "The Kittle""

[@thecyclingdanegaming6194]

On the podium today :/

[@joslyndresen]

He is backpacking with GCN 😆

[@thewisecrab1541]

I miss Kittel. If he was still racing he would have been destroying the top sprinters now, beaten Wout no problem

[@commonsensethecynosure1639]

I am just not down with sprinters. Set in out day, then...! I prefer the Northern Classics especially when the winner breaks all rivals.

[@paddydunne774]

Aye up

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

One of my best friends is one of the greatest track champions of all time-a great sprinter. Another friend has like, 10 top ten finishes in the TdF. This question is the most intriguing to me. This video completely glosses over the most obvious problem.

[@bg147]

What is the problem? Just curious.

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

@@bg147 drugs

[@bg147]

@@JohnDough-yr2zt Yea. The topic is avoided by many.

[@cyclingfreak56]

Jeez really! This topic hasn’t already been aired ad nauseum? 🤦‍♂️

[@savagepro9060]

0:15 prestige to his name or face?

[@PeakTorque]

Same as Tommy D. Realised pro cycling isnt worth the torture and crap.

[@vincentkrause7097]

Is he the fastest sprinter of all time?? I think he was better than Cav head to head.

[@mattblob]

Not sure about that. Cav smoked him in the 2016 TDF

[@HkFinn83]

More power, definitely not ‘better’

[@mattblob]

@@doommonger7784 Yes. That's spot on.

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

@@HkFinn83 Cav has less ultimate power, but he is 'cagier' than Marcel was, and yeah, being smaller, he got a bit more shelter from his lead out train in that crucial last kilo. That track Points Race/Omnium/Madison experience serves him well in field sprints. 😉

[@douglasbooth6836]

Greatest sprinter ever.

[@johnandrews3568]

Soooo... wtf is he doing now? That's why I clicked. I know his career... is he still in school? Working?

[@MrObear]

Does he even shave his arms??? Aero hairs??

[@alanshaw390]

WTF happened to cycling Dane?

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

Too many temper tantrums, not enough discipline.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

Seems like he was better suited for American crit-style racing to power down the laps without a sweat and fry everyone in the sprints. But would have only been a fraction of the money by doing so

[@blackmoor5815]

cyclists are underpaid i suppose

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

Compare the World Tour riders' power/'work' output/calories burned training and racing, wattage, etc,. to all of the U.S. 'stick and ball' sports, Euro/World level futbol players, golfers, etc., etc., and then compare what they are paid to ride vs. the insanely ridiculous sums those players are granted in contracts (even BEFORE their incomprehensible endorsement deals!), and yes, you have your answer. ☹

[@UloPe]

tl;dw: he quit

[@jamesbuckingham8073]

It's still not clear; just reruns and blah, blah,

[@xtrachrisb488]

I'll be the old fart for a bit. Is it a good thing to have an abbreviated vulgarity to be so ubiquitous?

[@BradleyCoopertest]

He took drugs, then he quit and he sucked. Also, I had a relationship with Tess prior to him. And she kept coming back to me after Marcel was away. He got fed up with that. People reading this, think it's a joke, but it's not.

[@savagepro9060]

thecyclingdane: WTF Happened To Marcel Kettle? also thecyclingdane: 1:20 thecyclingdane, come on, lets make tea🫖🍵