Marcel Kittel is targetting stage wins at the Tour of Poland next month, his first race since missing out on selection for Giant-Alpecin’s Tour de France squad.

The German has suffered with a recurring illness this season, which has disrupted his season on a number of occasions.

>> Save up to 31% with a magazine subscription. Enjoy the luxury of home delivery and never miss an issue <<

After winning the opening race of the season at the People’s Choice Classic in Australia, Kittel has only managed 22 racing days in 2015 with only one other top-10 finish.

The Tour of Poland kicks off in Warsaw on August 2 with six road stages before an individual time trial round Krakow on August 8.

“I am looking forward to racing again after a good period of training at home,” said Kittel. “The Tour de Pologne is a nice race to get back into racing and gain rhythm. As a team, we will be aiming to win sprint stages in Poland.”

Kittel was left out of Giant-Alpecin’s Tour de France squad because of his lack of race fitness and described it as the most difficult times of his career.