Marcel Kittel hungry for success in 2016 - Sabatini

Marcel Kittel is primed and ready to get back to winning ways in 2016 after completing his switch to Etixx-Quick-Step, according to team-mate Fabio Sabatini.

Kittel was one of cycling's top sprinters during 2013 and 2014, but struggled last year as he battled with bouts of illness.

As a result the German was not part of Giant-Alpecin's Tour de France team.

That was a big blow after eight stage wins at the Tour over the previous two years – including both Grand Depart stages.

Kittel's move to Etixx on a two-year deal was confirmed in October, and, after their early training sessions together, it is clear to Sabatini that the 27-year-old is hungry for more success.

"We have only spent 10 days together, at the first training camp, but I already see someone of very strong character," Sabatini told Tuttobici.

"You can see he wants to redeem himself after a bad season. He is really motivated and cannot wait to start racing.

"I was surprised to see him in training already so focused and driven. I thought, 'if that's how he is in December, who knows how he'll be when it comes to racing?'"