German sprinter left frustrated after suffering a late mechanical problem.
One of the top contenders in stage 2 of the Ster ZLM Toer GP Jan van Heeswijk, at the start of which he lined out following a strong and impressive performance in Wednesday's prologue, Marcel Kittel was taken out from contention with just 200 meters to go, when his chain dropped on a cobbled section and prevented him from fighting for victory in Hoogerheide, where the stage concluded.
It was the second setback of the day for Quick-Step Floors, after Niki Terpstra was forced to retire due to a minor injury he sustained in a crash occurred in the first part of the stage. On the plus side, Quick-Step Floors continue at the top of the team standings ahead of stage 3 (Buchten – Buchten, 209.2 kilometers), which will take the riders into the hills of Limburg.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
