Marcel Kittel joins Unibet Rose Rockets as sprint coach

In an interesting twist, Kittel teams-up with a former rival. Dylan Groenewegen, who joins the Rockets next season, will now benefit from the experience of one of the most dominant sprinters of the modern era.

“Marcel is one of the greatest sprinters of the modern era. His reputation and achievements speak for themselves,” says team owner Bas Tietema. “Our first conversations already took place in 2021, and even back then it was clear he wasn’t interested in simply sitting in a team car. He cares deeply about helping riders grow toward the highest level, and about sharing his knowledge with cycling fans around the world.” 

Tietema, who earlier this month appeared in the Domestique Hotseat to outline the team’s philosophy, adds that Kittel fits seamlessly with the team’s philosophy: “Having someone with his experience, professionalism and deep understanding of sprinting to join our young project is very special. We’re incredibly proud that someone of his calibre believes in what we’re building and wants to help shape our sprint ambitions.”

The 37-years old Kittel, who established himself with eighty-nine career victories before retiring at thirty one, says the Rockets project immediately sparked something in him. 

“I can’t wait to get started with the Unibet Rose Rockets. When I look at this team, I recognise a lot from my own days as a rider. I see a group that wants to make its mark in the peloton, by making the sprint one of their key weapons within an aggressive, all in racing style.”

Looking ahead to his new role, he adds: “I feel a real spark again about being back in the cycling world, and I couldn’t think of a better team for that comeback. With my experiences on the road, and more recently on the side of the road, I hope to help the team in its further development.”

In a separate interview with NOS, Kittel also explained how the Rockets plan to shape the sprint project around Groenewegen. “Together with Dylan we’re going to look at where there is room for improvement. That will be a great process next year. For Dylan, but also for the lead out. It’s very important that we develop a clear through line that prepares the team for WorldTour level and for races like the Tour de France.”

Earlier this week, Marcel Kittel joined the Domestique Hotseat where he opened up about his love for sprinting.  As he explained, his entire sprinting identity was shaped by the unique physiology he carried into every race. “I was and I am a very heavy guy, know, with around 90 kilos, 89 kilos during the Tour de France, you have to push a lot of watts.” 

That power influenced the way he approached every finale, especially as the peloton evolved. “Lead out trains were less relevant,” he said when reflecting on the later years of his career. “And I think then it comes down more to your individual strength, you know, to keep yourself in a good position and make up for mistakes that you have done before really the last two, 300 meters.” 

For Kittel, sprinting was never just physics. It was feel, instinct and the comfort of a position he had developed over more than a decade. “You have to feel comfortable with your position on the bike and especially when you are on your limit, it's very, very difficult to consciously change to a lower position because you're focused on so many other things.” 

Those insights now become part of the Rockets’ sprinting blueprint. And with Kittel guiding both established sprinters and emerging talents, the team believes his deep, experience based understanding of the last chaotic seconds of a race will elevate their ambitions for 2026 and beyond.