#1
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Kittel quits mid season
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Chisholm's Custom Wheels Qui Si Parla Campagnolo |
#2
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Very curious behavior, especially amid all the rumors. Sad to see from someone who was so dominant a few years back. Hopefully he's able to get through whatever rough patch he's having and figure it all out. Whether or not he returns to cycling is secondary.
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#3
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I don’t think Lefevere’s dinosaur hide is going to work for an athlete who needs a hug.
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#4
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Second that. The life of a sprinter has got to be seriously intense.
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#5
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It is a shame but it sounds like trouble has been brewing for awhile. Hopefully Kittel can sort out what is going on but I have a feeling that his winning years may be past.
Not to be snarky, but Trek Segafredo may be a good option for him. May take some pressure off both him and Degenkolb. |
#6
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i would guess he's completely burnt out.
after the several years of big success, a year of illness and just a couple minor wins, another tough early season this year... a couple accusations that he was enjoying too much wine and been instead of training, possibly mono/Epstein-Barr or other undiagnosed illness. maybe just didn't really care any more? |
#7
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That’s a tough transition. In my mind, sprinters are like NFL running backs, having about 3-4 years of peak performance. Some are able to transition to roles as lead out men, super domestique, other roles, and some can’t; a top end sprinter needs a top end ego.
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#8
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IMO the dude just turned off, the problem with sprinters is that the life expectancy is really short compared with a grand tour rider. 5 - 7 and that's it, he has been fading in the last 2 years, they get their pick (sp) which is like 2 years and then they are done for. Max-man IMO is one of the ones that lasted with longest but this thin with the blond german independently of the personal problems he might have IMO is more due to life expectancy of a sprinter than nothing else.
Remember Kittel was more like a TT guy but I imagine they turned him at some point into a sprinter since the speed and power was already there, more money aswell I imagine... This same idea has me thinking about sagan, how long he will last... he is like at the limit of life expectancy aswell, but sagan is a different type of rider but either way... |
#9
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Just read in a German magazine that he calls it quits for good.
"I lost all motivation to torture myself any further". |
#10
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https://www.france24.com/en/20190823...t-from-cycling
Announcement here: Quote:
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It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that certain je ne sais quoi. --Peter Schickele Last edited by fiamme red; 08-23-2019 at 09:57 AM. |
#11
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That's too bad, he was a great talent. The highlight of his career, for me anyway, was when he fought Rocky.
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And we have just one world, But we live in different ones |
#12
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"As a cyclist, you are on the road for 200 days of the year. I didn't want to watch my son grow up via Skype."
Total respect for the man. |
#13
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I hope he finds happiness in whatever's next.
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#14
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+1000
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#15
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Quote:
My dad was around all the time when I was a kid. He and I were best friends right up till the end. Can't get that time back.
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http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/ |
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