Marcel Kittel’s return to professional cycling hasn’t been on the bike, but from the team car. The German, one of the foremost sprinters of his generation, has started a new chapter as a coach with the Unibet Rose Rockets project, working closely with Dylan Groenewegen. A collaboration that, for now, is delivering visible results after a strong start to the season by the Dutchman.
Kittel, who retired at the end of 2019 after a career packed with success, had chosen to step away from cycling entirely. Now 37, he amassed a standout palmarès with 14 Tour de France stage wins, four at the Giro d’Italia and five victories at Scheldeprijs, figures that place him among sprinting’s greats.
After retiring, he focused on his personal life and stayed clear of the competitive environment. As he explains, he needed distance before considering any return. During that time he received offers to join teams, but he didn’t feel it was the right moment.
“It was a conscious decision,” Kittel explains. “I wanted to disappear from the sport for a while. I always said I didn’t see myself working as a coach or sports director. My priority was family and enjoying time after my career. I needed distance before thinking about coming back. I received several offers to rejoin teams, but I was in a different phase of my life.”
A new project and a changed cycling landscape
The contact with Unibet Rose Rockets isn’t new. There was an initial approach three years ago, when the structure didn’t yet have a top-tier sprinter. However, the current context has paved the way for his arrival.
Kittel points out that cycling has evolved markedly in recent years, with more specialists and a more scientific approach to preparation. Even so, he notes that the sport’s essence remains the same: physical output and mental strength are still decisive.
“This is a better moment,” he says. “A lot has changed in cycling. There are more experts, more applied science, and that allows us to understand riders better and prepare them better. But in the end they still ride two-wheeled bikes. You need to be strong physically, but also mentally.”
A role focused on the mental and strategic
Far from taking on traditional coaching duties, the German has found his niche in the specific preparation of sprint finishes. His work centers on leading meetings, staying in close contact with riders and helping them manage situations both inside and outside competition.
Kittel believes his experience as a former pro lets him understand a rider’s needs from a different angle, especially on the mental side, where he feels he can add real value.
“What I enjoy most is preparing each sprint race, leading the meetings, being in touch with the riders and listening to what problems they have and how I can help,” he says. “That’s what I felt I was missing as a former pro who has lived a lot within cycling.”
The connection with Groenewegen
A key element of this collaboration is Kittel’s prior relationship with Groenewegen. The pair crossed paths at the 2017 Tour de France, where the German took five stage wins while the Dutchman opened his account on the Champs-Élysées.
For Kittel, Groenewegen’s talent and speed have never been in doubt. In his view, the difference from last season lies in combining those qualities with greater mental strength and the right environment within the team.
“His talent and his speed have always been there,” he says. “If you combine that with his mental strength and his new team, you have the formula for success.”
Kittel also underlines the Dutch sprinter’s ambition, a motivation that energises him in his new role. He highlights the team’s particular atmosphere, which maintains a different identity from its origins as a project linked to digital content.
“Dylan’s motivation is very high. He’s still a born winner and he wants to win. His ambition gives me energy too,” he adds. “The team has a different atmosphere, a different vibe from a traditional team. They do things differently and it’s working.”
A team on the rise
The Unibet Rose Rockets structure continues to develop. Although it already races significant events, this season marks a step up with milestones such as a first major win at Ronde van Brugge and the upcoming participation in the Giro d’Italia.
The transition to the top tier requires, Kittel says, progressive adaptation and constant attention to detail. In that process, the buy-in of riders like Groenewegen is essential.
The Dutchman, who arrived from Jayco AlUla, has backed this project with conviction, engaging in its development and dedicating time to his preparation.
“You have to be open to it. It has to come from within, and with Dylan it does,” Kittel explains. “He wants to do it, he puts time and energy into the team every day and he prepares well. Results come, but it’s the riders who deliver them. All the credit is theirs.”
Goals and outlook
Looking ahead, Kittel remains cautious. He believes Groenewegen is still capable of beating anyone on his day, though he acknowledges that performance can fluctuate over the season.
The team’s major target is the Giro d’Italia, where they hope to reap the rewards of their work. Until then, the priority is to keep learning in every race, regardless of results, with the goal of arriving in peak condition for their main objectives.
“I’m sure Dylan can beat anyone on a good day,” he concludes. “But performance has ups and downs. That’s our starting point. The Giro is the big goal and, until then, we must learn from every opportunity, whether it went well or not, to improve towards our main targets.”
Read also
Carlos Silva is a writer for CyclingUpToDate.com, where he contributes race reports, interviews, analysis pieces, and live coverage of the international cycling calendar. Holding a degree in Sports from the Jean Piaget Institute, he combines academic knowledge of performance, training, and competition with hands-on journalism experience in professional cycling.
Throughout his career, Carlos has conducted interviews with leading figures in the sport, including Alberto Contador, Joaquim Rodríguez, Óscar Pereiro, João Almeida, Isaac del Toro, Derek Gee, John Degenkolb and Geraint Thomas. These conversations reflect direct engagement with Grand Tour winners, Classics specialists, and emerging talents.
He has provided on-site coverage at major events ranging from the Vuelta a España to the Tour de France, alongside stage races such as Vuelta a Andalucía, Volta ao Algarve, Volta a Portugal and O Gran Camiño. Covering the mythical climbs of the Giro d'Italia remains one of his professional ambitions.
Carlos is responsible for liveblog coverage of all major WorldTour races and beyond, including the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España. His reporting integrates verified data from ProCyclingStats to ensure statistical accuracy, contextual depth, and analytical precision.
A lifelong cycling enthusiast, he approaches storytelling across written, photographic, and video formats with a focus on credibility, tactical insight, and informed race interpretation.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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