By Graham Healy
Dan Martin has been settling in in Canada in recent days in advance of what will be his debut appearances in the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Québec and the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Montréal.
The races will be of particular importance to his Garmin-Sharp team because one of their key sponsors, bike supplier Cervélo, is a Canadian company and they will be keen to impress in their home market. Martin’s team mate and this year’s Giro d’Italia winner, Ryder Hesjedal is also Canadian.
Martin along with Hesjedal will be amongst the favourites for both races.
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Other riders who the duo will have to contend with include Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma – Quick Step), Peter Sagan (Liquigas), and Simon Gerrans (Orica – Greenedge).
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The Irishman, who made a guest appearance at the Eurobike show in Germany at the weekend, has recently committed his future to the Garmin team by signing a new contract that will see him stay with them until the end of 2014.
First up is the Quebec race tomorrow, Friday, when the riders will face 16 laps of a 12.6 kilometre circuit which includes four climbs per lap; totalling 200 kilometres.
The race has been won by Philippe Gilbert and Voeckler in the past, so Martin must feel that it’s an event that could suit an attacking and punchy climber like him.
Just two days later on Sunday the riders will line up in Montréal for 17 laps of a 12 kilometre circuit. There are two significant climbs on the lap which results in a gruelling total of nearly 4,000 metres of climbing.
Both races will serve as great preparation for the upcoming World Championships, due to the nature of the circuits. Martin, along with his cousin, Nicolas Roche has been guaranteed one of the slots in the race in just over two weeks time.
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