Marcel Kittel looks back at successful debut with Rockets: "We showed our class, and I think we should be really proud"
Cycling
Unibet Rose Rockets can look back at a good season, even though their big dream - Tour de France participation has not been fulfilled just yet. One of the important factors which contributed to the success was undoubtedly the new sprint coach Marcel Kittel.
Of course, in order to build a successful sprint train, more than a couple factors have to come together. A strong finisher, synchronized lead-out, precise tactics, good mentality, material and last but not last; somebody who can put all these pieces together. That is where Kittel comes into the picture.
"When you look at the practical implementation of what we wanted to achieve in the sprints, it means you have to be there to develop a structure around the sprint. Instead of being theoretical, you need to be in the car," Kittel explains in an interview for Domestique.
Originally, he expected to work more from his "desk" when he signed up to join Rockets last winter, but the German ex-professional quickly learnt that the job of coach/sports director is also a "field" occupation.
"It was definitely more hands-on than we initially thought, but I’m not complaining about that, not at all, because the races are also where the magic happens and where the emotions run high. I really enjoyed it."
One mistake can cost everything
Kittel has first-hand experince with bunch sprints from his days of being the world's fastest man a decade ago, but eventually he chose retirement in 2019 ahead of his 31st birthday. What has changed since then?
"It’s definitely faster, I would say, because of gearing and aerodynamics," he says. "And there are a lot of good sprinters out there now, so the overall level is higher. It means the margin for mistakes is almost not there anymore. One mistake in the last kilometre costs you the opportunity to go for a sprint and then all the five hours before are basically for nothing. That’s the main difference."
"What I would like to focus on is how we communicate as a team before, during and after the race, how we prepare our finals," he says. "There is always a pretty detailed plan beforehand, but the reality is: how do we actually do it in the race? That also involves a certain vision, like how you want to work during a race and how you need to leave a certain amount of space for the unexpected things that happen in a race."
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Kittel viewed the past season as a bit of a test. It was important to learn where both the team and himself can improve in Rockets' quest on setting up a top lead-out. Either around Dylan Groenewegen or one of his successors such as the young German speedster Tobias Müller.
"In 2026, we focused on making sure that we were there in the final, so we needed a good plan, good communication, but also flexibility. We want to build the most versatile sprint train, because that’s what you need in the final, and I think it was a good first step this year."
Dylan Groenewegen wins Tour of Bruges
Next stop; Tour de France
Unibet Rose Rockets already set out the Tour de France debut as their big goal for 2026, but back then organizer ASO prioritized Spanish ProTeam Caja Rural - Seguros RGA who have out-ranked Rockets in the previous year's UCI ranking. For 2027, there seems to be no more an obstacle standing between Rockets and a Tour wild card though.
But that doesn't mean that this season was a failure. Rockets were instead awarded a Giro d'Italia invitation where they haven't let down. They were present in all sprint finishes, and Wout Poels made their presence be felt in the mountains as well. Kittel now hopes to bring the lessons learnt in Italy over to France.
"At the Giro, we had an opportunity, as a team and as an organisation, to learn what is involved," Kittel says. "Even if we didn’t walk away with a victory, we showed our class, and I think we should be really happy and proud about that."
"I think it has always been the dream for us as a team to go to the Tour, but we are very aware that you’re not just given that place – you have to earn it," Kittel says. "What does that mean for us, in 2026 and now in 2027? First of all, we are making sure that we take the next step again, that we work hard for the new season to be ready and then show our best side. I think that’s the most important thing, and that’s very logical."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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