Dan Martin has had a couple of blips in recent weeks but is strong enough to be right in the mix in Italy
By Graham Healy
After a faltering start to the season due to his team’s bikes being stolen at the Tour of the Mediterranean and then falling sick prior to the Tour du Haut Var, Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) will hope he has better luck this weekend when he lines up at Strade Bianchi (1.1).
The event has only been run as a professional race since 2007, when it was known as Monte Paschi Eroica. But it has quickly grown to become one of the most eagerly awaited races of the early season.
What makes the race unique is not only the white gravelled sections of road that the riders will race over, but also the difficult finish in the narrow streets of the ancient town of Siena.
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Since its inception, riders of the calibre of Philippe Gilbert (BMC) and Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha) have triumphed, with Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Leopard) taking victory twice, most recently last year.
Martin will be up against it this year though as not only will Cancellara and Kolobnev be competing, but also the likes of Cadel Evans, Taylor Phinney (both BMC) and Peter Sagan (Cannondale).
The Irishman has just completed a training camp in Girona, and will be hopeful of showing some good form.
Following on from the Tuscan race, Martin will stay in Italy as he will be taking part in Tirreno Adriatico, which starts on Wednesday in San Vincenzo. The stage race may offer him better hope of a good result, as a number of the stages feature summit finishes. Martin will be using both races as opportunities to fine tune his form for next month’s Ardennes classics, where he hopes to go even better than last year.
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