Sunday 4 October 2015 17:23, UK
German sprinter Marcel Kittel will sever his ties with Team Giant-Alpecin at the end of the season.
The 27-year-old, who still had a year left on his contract, recently indicated to the team's management that he was keen on making a fresh start in his career.
It has been a tough year for eight-time Tour de France stage winner Kittel, who has had to deal with inconsistent form, illness and injuries.
In a statement on Instagram, Kittel said: "I'm leaving with so many nice memories and I want to thank my teammates for their support, passion and dedication.
"You always gave everything for our victory and we fought through the toughest times on the bike.
"I'm very thankful that I had such fantastic human beings around me. Now I'm looking forward to my future challenges and I'm very excited!"
A statement on the Team Giant-Alpecin website read: " [The] team's decision to grant Kittel's wish to be released and to remain close to its DNA is a choice for the long term and reflects Team Giant-Alpecin's commitment to ensuring the continuous development of the athletes and the team, as well as the breakthrough of new cycling stars".
The team's CEO Iwan Spekenbrink added: "Marcel has meant a lot to the team and has been a great ambassador for us. Therefore, we immediately decided to respond positively to his request and release him from his contract.
"His request came very late in the season, but nevertheless he looks able to find and join a suitable team, which makes it realistic to actually release him.
"Marcel is a great athlete and it will be good for the sport of cycling, for the fans and, most importantly, for Marcel himself if he can produce great sprints again next season, which was an additional argument to respond favorably to his request."
Kittel added: "After my last setback, where I had to skip still more races, it became clear to me that I want to make a fresh start after a physically and mentally difficult year.
"When I shared this wish with the team, I was aware that it's uncommon to release a rider from his contract before the end of the term.
"I very much appreciate that Team Giant-Alpecin placed my personal wishes above the concern of losing a rider so late in the season and that it was receptive to my request to try and find a new team, which is something quite rare in the hard world of elite sports.
"I knew it would not be easy to make it happen this late in the season, but fortunately I expect to be able to find a suitable team, where I will race for the next few seasons. I am looking forward to it."
