The Argos-Shimano team has been build around delivering Marcel Kittel first across the line in any sprint contest. The 24 year old German has 7 wins so far this season and could have ten by the end of the Tour. The inclusion of Koen de Kort suggests the team may also look for breakaway opportunities but primarily their focus will be the sprints. Patrick Gretsch will hoping for a top ten in the Prologue to set the scene for the team and he also be looking at the other two ITT stages for some personal glory. These two riders will definitely be playing second fiddle to Kittel and his sprinting.
The team had been chosen to ensure there is a strong lead out train for Kittel who will look for a maiden win in his maiden Tour. Having won stages in 2012 at the Tour of Oman, Ster ZLM Toer, Three Days of Panne and Étoile de Bessèges Kittel has continued to build upon his 2011 successes. Having won stage 7 at last year’s Vuelta, Kittel has announced he can match it with the best at Grand Tour level. The sprints are going to be contested by the crème de la crème of sprinters in 2012 and Kittel is quickly proving he deserves to be mentioned as one of best currently racing.
The other star sprinter at Argos-Shimano, John Degenkolb, has missed out on a Tour place as the team has decided to focus on one sprinter alone. This may place more pressure on Kittel than he can handle as the team is built around him delivering a stage win. The presence of Mathieu Sprick who has ridden five Tours’ will be welcomed by Kittel as he will undoubtedly be offering both advice and protection throughout the three weeks. Besides Sprick, no other rider in the Argos-Shimano squad has raced more than one Tour.
This young team may be making its debut and be lacking experience but the potential and ambition of the team cannot be questioned. Kittel looks to be a future star of the sport and a win in the Tour would be more than welcomed. However how Kittel manages the pressure of a being the focal point of a new team looking to impress in its debut Tour remains to be seen. Kittel has the experience of the Vuelta from 2011 which will help him through the Tour but an early win will be far more beneficial mentally to the entire team.
The team had been chosen to ensure there is a strong lead out train for Kittel who will look for a maiden win in his maiden Tour. Having won stages in 2012 at the Tour of Oman, Ster ZLM Toer, Three Days of Panne and Étoile de Bessèges Kittel has continued to build upon his 2011 successes. Having won stage 7 at last year’s Vuelta, Kittel has announced he can match it with the best at Grand Tour level. The sprints are going to be contested by the crème de la crème of sprinters in 2012 and Kittel is quickly proving he deserves to be mentioned as one of best currently racing.
The other star sprinter at Argos-Shimano, John Degenkolb, has missed out on a Tour place as the team has decided to focus on one sprinter alone. This may place more pressure on Kittel than he can handle as the team is built around him delivering a stage win. The presence of Mathieu Sprick who has ridden five Tours’ will be welcomed by Kittel as he will undoubtedly be offering both advice and protection throughout the three weeks. Besides Sprick, no other rider in the Argos-Shimano squad has raced more than one Tour.
This young team may be making its debut and be lacking experience but the potential and ambition of the team cannot be questioned. Kittel looks to be a future star of the sport and a win in the Tour would be more than welcomed. However how Kittel manages the pressure of a being the focal point of a new team looking to impress in its debut Tour remains to be seen. Kittel has the experience of the Vuelta from 2011 which will help him through the Tour but an early win will be far more beneficial mentally to the entire team.
Argos-Shimano 2012 Tour de France Team
Roy Curvers
Koen de Kort
Johannes Fröhlinger
Patrick Gretsch
Yann Huguet
Marcel Kittel
Matthieu Sprick
Albert Timmer
Tom Veelers
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