There was no fairytale ending for Dan Martin today as the riders who have now come to dominate pro cycling stepped up at Il Lombardia; a race the Irishman won himself seven years ago.
However, while the Israel Start-Up Nation rider finished back in 38th place today, some 5:36 down on race winner Tadej Pogačar (UAE-Team Emirates), Martin's final ride seemed to serve as confirmation for him that he was right to call it a day now.
“What a relief,” he said after the finish of today's 239km race after a very hard six hours in the saddle from Como to Bergamo. “It was so brutal out there, so when I was nearing the finish, I felt so complete with my decision. I really have nothing more to give.”
For the 35-year-old father of two - who started out with Team GB before switching his allegiance to Ireland in his U23 years - today marked the end of a 14-year career. And while he could be forgiven for having some last minute doubts, he appeared to have none.
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“I made the best of every period of my career, lived an amazing life but also kept a promise that I made to myself; that as soon as it stopped being fun I would stop," he said. "Cycling has never been about results for me, it’s been about the performance and enjoyment.
“I’m most proud of how I managed to maintain a constant
level of performance and commitment throughout not just seasons, but for so
many years. I think it shows that I just love racing my bike. I love the
process of training and aiming for an objective.
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“I don’t think you can look back in this sport. That’s
how I have stayed fresh so long. However a race goes, good or bad, it’s
important to turn the page and refocus.
“Having said that, if I could take all the lessons I have
learnt and rewind to 10 years ago, I could have been so much more successful
but the same goes for everybody. The sport has just advanced leaps and bounds
the last years and become ever so competitive.”
“The thing I will miss the most is the camaraderie and vibe with my teammates. Obviously there are so many things I will not miss, that’s why I’m retiring. The time away from home, the sacrifice, but then the less obvious things like the constant scrutiny we put ourselves under; the worry of getting sick or if your nutrition is good, if your training is good, how the races will go.
“The mental side of the sport is still massively
underestimated. Then of course watching the last races in the rain: that’s
something I will definitely not miss.”
Martin said he plans to remain living in Andorra, with his wife and twin girls, adding he was looking forward to pursuing a career in the business work with a company he co-founded, Rubix Ventures.
Today Pogačar put in a spectacular ride to win the 'Race of the Falling Leaves'. He took a break from racing after winning his second Tour de France title in July and riding the Olympic Games six days later. And since then he has ridden nine races, gradually building his condition each time.
His aggressive showing midweek at Tre Valli Varesine and Milano-Torino suggested his form was building perfectly - taking 3rd and 4th respectively in those events. Today he attacked from 35km out. The young Slovenia took on the race on the slopes of the Passo di Ganda.
And while he was soon joined by Fausto Masnada (Deceuninck-QuickStep), Pogačar prevailed in a cagey two-up sprint at the finish.
Some 51 seconds behind the winner and runner-up, Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) was the unlikely winner of the sprint from the seven-man chasing group, forcing Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) into 4th.
