Among the biggest goals of Dan Martin's year were Wednesday's Fleche-Wallone, where he crashed hard, and this Sunday's Liege-Bastogne-Liege, which he may not be able to ride. Above, he was all smiles today, Friday, on a recon ride over La Redoute; a climb on the course of Sunday's race (Photo: Sirotti)
Dan Martin is in a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s Liège–Bastogne–Liège following his high-speed crash in Wednesday’s Fleche-Wallone in Belgium.
The Irishman hit the deck before the riders went over the famed climb of the Mur de Huy.
And though he remounted and caught the peloton with the help of his teammates, he would later withdraw.
His Cannondale-Garmin team later released a statement saying his known injuries were “contusions, abrasions and soreness in his neck.”
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They also said they were “hopeful he will be able to start” on Sunday.
The team took to the Liege course today to recon some of the crucial sectors of it, and Martin was present on that training ride.
Dan the man: Winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege two years ago. If he rides on Sunday he is capable of anything (Photo: Sirotti)
However, he remains in pain and is stiff and his condition will be monitored closely during tonight and tomorrow before a decision is made on whether he will race on Sunday.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège is one of the five ‘Monuments’ in cycling; a title given to the oldest and most prestigious one-day classics.
Martin has already won Liege, of course, and that 2013 victory was arguably the best win of his career.
He very nearly retained his title last year. His attack off the front in the last couple of hundred metres snatched disaster from the jaws of victory when he fell on the final bend.
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But he put to bed that disappointment last October when he won the Tour of Lombardy.
He was one of the favourites for Sunday's race prior to his spill on Wednesday.
Martin’s thousand yard stare as he comes over the line for 39th place in Liège–Bastogne–Liège says it all after his crash on the last corner 12 months ago (Photo: Sirotti)
Martin’s season so far has been built around this week so to miss out would represent a huge blow for him and his team, who have struggled for wins to date in 2015.
The Irishman is his team’s undisputed leader and one of the most exciting riders in the peloton right now.
Wednesday’s crash was a bitter blow because Fleche-Wallone is a race Martin had targeted in training for a long time.
He was 2nd last year and was hoping this time around to win the charge up the brutally steep climb to the finish.
But should he be forced to sit out this weekend he will simply adjust his goals accordingly, with the Tour de France the obvious big target after this.
He missed the Tour last year because his focus was on the Giro d’Italia but fans of Martin will need little reminding of the tragedy that unfolded there when he crashed and broke his collar bone on the opening stage.
We’ll keep you updated on his condition as we get it.
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