Team sounding optimistic about keeping four-time Tour de France stage winner on board
Following conflicting media reports which stated, then disputed, that Marcel Kittel had extended his current contract, his Argos Shimano team has clarified the situation with the quadruple Tour de France stage winner.
“We are currently speaking to Marcel about his contract extension,” team spokesman Geert Broekhuizen told VeloNation today. “I think there is some confusion within the media due to a Facebook message, but the team itself has not said anything until now.”
He explained the likely source of confusion, stating that someone within title sponsor Argos had read a media report saying that a deal had already been done. They then mentioned that on its Facebook page, causing further media stories about a finalised deal.
Kittel’s manager Jörg Werner told dpa that this was not accurate. Broekhuizen also confirms this.
Kittel had a superb second Tour de France. He won four stages, including the final stage into Paris. He beat Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) and Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma Quick Step) there, confirming his new position as the world’s fastest sprinter.
Those successes have undoubtedly raised his value plus the amount of interest in him, but his current team appears optimistic about reaching an agreement.
“Things are looking good. We really hope to finalise it as soon possible,” said Broekhuizen. “I won’t put any date on when that is likely to be, but we’ll announce it as soon as it is done.”